Bosch has been granted Victoria’s first Automated Driving System (ADS) permit for on-road testing of highly automated driving systems.
The company, which has been awarded $2.3 million from the Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Trial Grants Program, is currently developing its automated vehicle technology and will begin testing on high-speed rural roads later in 2019.
The testing will be carried out on roads that expose the automated vehicle to a range of different conditions including traffic, weather and infrastructure.
Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said the aim of the Bosch trial is to use the state-of-the-art technology to improve safety on rural Victorian roads – where drivers are five times as likely to be killed in a crash than in metropolitan areas.
“Victoria is leading the nation in the future of on-road technology and this trial is an exciting step towards driverless vehicles hitting the road,” Ms Allan said.
“The tragic fact is that you’re five times as likely to be killed on a rural road than in the city. That’s why we’re rolling out a record roads investment in rural Victoria – and this is another way we can improve safety and save lives.”
Bosch Australia President, Mr Gavin Smith added:
“Bosch is a proud leader in vehicle safety systems and is eager to commence this trial with technologies that will show how we can improve road safety and reduce road trauma on rural roads.”
