The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently introduced a new rating program to evaluate partially automated driving systems. This testing protocol assesses features such as driver monitoring, attention reminders, and emergency procedures in systems from various manufacturers including BMW, Ford, General Motors, Tesla, and others. The highest scorer in the evaluation was Lexus Teammate with Advanced Drive, earning an Acceptable overall rating, followed by GM’s Super Cruise and Nissan ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, both rated Marginal. All other systems tested received failing scores overall.
### IIHS Evaluation of Partially Autonomous Driving Systems
The IIHS conducted tests on 14 systems from nine manufacturers, testing for driver monitoring, attention reminders, and emergency procedures. The scoring system follows the same criteria as their crash safety ratings – Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. However, none of the systems tested earned a Good rating overall. Only Lexus Teammate with Advanced Drive received an Acceptable rating, while GM’s Super Cruise and Nissan ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link both received Marginal scores.
### Specific Test Procedures
During testing, the IIHS took measures to obscure the driver’s face, block the driver-monitoring camera, and evaluate how the systems responded to scenarios where the driver’s hands were off the wheel. The organization also noted that many of the systems did not include adequate measures to prevent misuse or keep drivers from losing focus on the road. Overall, the evaluations indicated that partial automation may not necessarily make driving safer, as it could introduce new risks if systems lack appropriate safeguards.
### Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement
IIHS president David Harkey emphasized that many of the systems struggled to meet the institute’s specifications for driver monitoring, attention reminders, and emergency procedures. However, he also noted that the sporadic results could be viewed as a positive sign, as each system had strengths in different categories. This suggests that improvements to the systems could come quickly and may require only software updates.
### Conclusion
In conclusion, the IIHS evaluation of partially autonomous driving systems highlights the need for continued improvements in driver monitoring, attention reminders, and emergency procedures. While no system received a Good rating overall, there is potential for enhancements and advancements in technology that could make these systems safer and more reliable for drivers on the road. As the automotive industry continues to develop and refine these technologies, it is crucial that safety remains a top priority in the integration of semi-automated features.