Clear the track! South Korea allows self-driving cars nationwide - are we Germans going to let the innovations pass us by?

Away from the test track, into the public transport network – this now also applies to Samsung's self-driving cars. Where? In South Korea – a country that granted nearly 20 such permits last year. And this, even though the safety of self-driving cars is often quite inadequate. Why is South Korea so open? Samsung's ambitions to establish itself in the self-driving car market are not new. For several months, the company has been testing its technology on its own test track. The seriousness of the South Korean corporation is evident in its activities in South Korea, where Samsung has now obtained approval for testing self-driving cars. Samsung is not using its own cars for this, but modified vehicles from Hyundai, another South Korean manufacturer. Since February last year, South Korea has already issued 20 such permits. Samsung: From Tank Manufacturer to Car Maker Samsung places special emphasis on the weather conditions with its technology. High-quality sensors and computer modules based on artificial intelligence and deep-learning technologies are expected to function even in difficult weather conditions. Samsung's entry into the fiercely competitive self-driving car market is not surprising, as the corporation is no longer just an electronics manufacturer, but also a tank and ship builder, as well as operator of amusement parks and hotels. South Korea Makes "Everything" a Test Track But why is South Korea so open? "Open is relative," says Professor Stefan Heinemann, a management expert specializing in digitalization and business ethics at the FOM University in Essen. "The responsible ministry MOLIT had only – or at least – 375 kilometers of designated test tracks for autonomous driving applications in its program back in 2016. This included one highway, five federal roads, and only two urban areas. The domestic political pressure – in South Korea, industrial innovations are traditionally more appreciated than criticized – as well as the competitive pressure mainly from China – Baic, Baidu & Co. – and the USA – Apple, Google, Tesla & Co. – have led to a significant simplification of this approval practice. Both in terms of the process and the test tracks." South Korea has now simply reversed the logic and designated everything as a test track – except for certain vulnerable areas, especially where particularly vulnerable groups such as children or sick people participate in mobility. Are South Koreans not concerned about safety deficiencies? However, if now "everything is a test track," does that also mean that the risk of traffic accidents on the streets of Seoul and its surroundings could significantly increase? After all, self-driving cars often still have significant safety deficiencies. Do South Korean experts and authorities have no concerns regarding these deficiencies? According to Heinemann, there is even a dedicated department preparing for the factual approval, insurance, and other administrative questions – if it may come in 2020. "Of course, South Korean scientists, experts, and authorities take the risks seriously. But the climate is more open to future topics, especially when it comes to concrete regulatory simplification – although there are always sensible regulations that should exist and be maintained," says Heinemann. Additionally, the environment is more conciliatory: "Corporations like Samsung and Hyundai are influential for the South Korean economy, and innovations such as Samsung's announcement that their autonomous car can drive safely even in bad weather and snow generate broad and mostly positive interest." Interestingly, according to a recent study by Deloitte, 81 percent of South Koreans do have safety concerns regarding autonomous driving – a nearly ten percent higher value than here. Is Germany Lagging Behind? In late April, a self-driving car using Apple technology was spotted in the Silicon Valley for the first time. However, the German government does not allow self-driving cars in the public transport network – is this a reason why Germany is lagging behind in terms of self-driving technology? Should Germany also be more open? Heinemann sees the answer as both yes and no. Yes, Germany should be more open when it comes to financing innovations with venture capital, state framework conditions, and industrial practices. No: Germany should continue to be cautious and meticulous in weighing the legal, economic, and ethical consequences of such developments. "It is important, however, that we do not always take what feels like an eternity for every relevant discussion, but become agile and 'pick up speed' – also in the broader societal discussion," says Heinemann. Economic Benefits vs. Ethical Concerns – Who Will Prevail? Especially considering the societal benefits, such as the efficiency and sustainability potentials in energy consumption, individual or shared mobility for an aging population, and the saved time that would otherwise be wasted on driving, are apparent. According to Heinemann, new competency areas could emerge that align well with the digitization of the industry and are necessary for the German economy in global competition. "South Korea's approach, especially from a ministerial perspective, shows how the external pressure on Germany in this regard will increase," says Heinemann. In addition to the benefits, Germany will also face many legal questions regarding liability or justified high demands for technical maturity, safety, and reliability. "A certain endangerment of informational self-determination due to massive traffic-related data volume is also not a fairy tale. And I consider it incorrect that digitization in the automotive sector will create more jobs than it costs. 'Old' value-added components will either disappear completely or be delegated to systems. In the end, German car manufacturers could become better suppliers for the actual innovation-driving companies. Besides legal and economic questions, the ethical dimension is also significant: Who is morally responsible if a fully autonomous car causes damage or even a fatal accident? How can 'responsibility' be thought of in this scenario? Such questions should be fully clarified before self-driving cars are on the roads in Germany. Article from "absatwirtschaft".