The global spotlight is shining on Adelaide this week, as 300 professionals from across insurance, enforcement, car hire, technology, research and disability sectors come together for the 3rd International Driverless Vehicle Summit.
ADVI Executive Director, Mrs Rita Excell, said the Summit – which has a theme of ‘Accelerating the Mobility Evolution” – reinforces why Australia and New Zealand are positioned at the forefront of this global revolution, with delegates to learn about the latest results from national and international trials involving a range of driverless vehicle types and network with world-leading experts.
“It is exciting to think that there are connected and automated vehicle trials and pilot programs underway right across Australia, with every major trial now involving an ADVI member,” Ms Excell said.
“With economic benefits for Australia estimated to be $95bn per annum, including 16,000 new jobs, and enhanced mobility options for the elderly or disabled, there can be no argument that driverless vehicles offer important economic, environmental and lifestyle benefits, with potentially up to 90% of all crashes eliminated.”
Today the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Regional Development, the Hon Michael McCormack MP met with some of the world’s most innovative autonomous vehicle industry representatives to learn more about the significant investments they have planned for technology development and jobs creation in Australia.
The meeting provided leaders of the fast-growing autonomous vehicle industry to brief the Deputy Prime Minister about their key investment areas and major development efforts as part of an industry that has been predicted to be worth $900 billion globally by 2025 and expected to create as many as 16,000 new jobs in Australia.
The meeting follows the recent commitment by the Australian Government to establish an Office of Future Transport Technologies to better coordinate with governments and agencies to implement future transport technologies in Australia and ensure a continued focus on improving transport and road safety outcomes.
