Report on the ethics of connected and automated vehicles

Abstract

With the strategy on Connected and Automated Mobility, the European Commission aims to make Europe a world leader in the development and deployment of connected and automated vehicles. These vehicles can bring down the number of road fatalities to near zero; increase accessibility of mobility services; and help to reduce harmful emissions from transport by making traffic more efficient. In order to reach these goals, a number of technical, regulatory and societal challenges have to be addressed before CAVs can be safely deployed. In 2019, the Commission formed an independent Expert Group to advise on ethical issues raised by driverless mobility. The group has now published its report with 20 recommendations covering dilemma situations, the creation of a culture of responsibility, and the promotion of data, algorithm and AI literacy through public participation.