July 02, 2019 – Together with 11 industry leaders across the automotive and automated driving technology spectrum Mercedes-Benz is taking the lead in developing an industry-wide definition of safety with the SaFAD white paper.
Along with Aptiv, Audi, Baidu, BMW, Continental, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, HERE, Infineon, Intel and Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz has published a white paper entitled Safety First for Automated Driving. As well as covering all relevant safety methods for Level 3/4 SAE automated driving, the paper introduces a traceability system, which extends from the primary goal – being safer than the average driver – right down to the individual safety objectives of the various components.
The foundation of the “Safety First for Automated Driving” white paper are its 12 Guiding Principles:
- Safe Operation: How the system reacts if critical components become unstable or cease functioning
- Safety Layer: The system recognizing its limits and minimizes risk in returning control to the driver
- Operational Design Domain (ODD): The operating conditions in which the system is designed to function
- Behavior in Traffic: The system behavior needs to be easy to understand and predictable for surrounding road users
- User Responsibility: The user’s state must be suitable for a takeover procedure
- Vehicle-Initiated Handover: If the driver does not comply with a takeover request, the automated driving system must perform a maneuver to minimize risk.
- Driver-Initiated Handover: Activating and deactivating the automated driving system shall require an explicit driver’s intent
- Effects of Automation: Overall evaluation of system safety shall take automation effects on the driver into account
- Safety Assessment: Verification and validation shall be used to ensure that the safety goals are met
- Data Recording: When an event or incident is recognized, automated vehicles shall record relevant data in a manner that complies with applicable privacy laws
- Security: Steps shall be taken to protect the automated driving system from security threats
- Passive Safety: Vehicle layout shall accommodate changes to crash scenarios brought about by vehicle automation
