Remote-controlled cars meet with approval
Just under half of Germans would ride in a car driven by a person who is not in the vehicle.
(Image: Shutterstock/metamorworks)
According to a survey by the digital association Bitkom, just under half of respondents in Germany are open to the idea of driving in a remote-controlled car. According to the survey, 46% would consider a journey where there is no driver in the vehicle, but the car is controlled remotely from another location. Only 49 percent have heard of such vehicles that can be ordered via an app. 47 percent of respondents were not aware of this passenger transportation option. Seventy percent of respondents are also in favor of setting up specially marked lanes for such remote-controlled and autonomous means of transport. In addition, a further 77 percent are in favour of clearly recognizable marking of the vehicles so that they can be identified by other road users.
"Visible labeling of remote-controlled vehicles can help to dispel any remaining reservations. And an analysis of their opportunities and risks in real-life operation will help to better understand their impact on road safety," says Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder.
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Remote-controlled cars are already on the road in the USA, including those from German suppliers. In this country, there has so far only been one test operation and the draft of a remote control regulation from the Federal Ministry of Transport from 2024. It remains to be seen whether remote-controlled vehicles will soon be part of the traffic picture here too, writes the digital association Bitkom. The survey was conducted by telephone with 1005 people aged 16 and over in July and August 2024.
(tlz)