Autonomous Vehicles: Focus on Automated and Self-Driving Cars
EuropeS Drive Towards Connected and Autonomous vehicles: A Status Update
Table of Contents
- EuropeS Drive Towards Connected and Autonomous vehicles: A Status Update
- europe’s Pursuit of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: A Q&A Update
- What is Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM)?
- What is the Current Status of Autonomous Vehicle Growth in Europe?
- What is Level 4 Autonomy?
- what is the European Commission Doing to Support Autonomous Vehicle Development?
- How Does Europe Compare to the US and China in the Autonomous Vehicle Race?
- What Challenges are European Companies Facing?
- What are some of the key partnerships driving innovation in this sector?
- What are the Level 4 autonomous vehicle pilots and trials happening in UK, France and germany?
- What’s Next for Autonomous Vehicles in Europe?
Following a period of relative inactivity,manufacturers are showing renewed interest in developing automated and autonomous vehicles. Obstacles are gradually being identified, and use cases are becoming clearer. The focus is now on connected and automated mobility (CAM).
On March 10, 2025, the opening of the first Level 4 “automated shuttle” service in France by the family-owned SME beti™ underscores the continued relevance of this technology. This highlights the advancements in autonomous vehicle pilots within specific geofenced locations.
Earlier, on February 6, MAN Truck & Bus announced that it would make all data related to autonomous vehicles available to the scientific community and automation system developers. This encompasses 747 scenarios recorded during tests with an instrumented MAN TGX 18.510,primarily on highways,but also on a logistics platform,in urban areas,and on roads.
Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) refers to vehicles that can guide themselves without human intervention. EU countries, industry and the Commission collaborate to achieve the EU’s aspiring vision for connected and automated mobility across the EU, taking into consideration public interests.
five months prior, at the IAA 2024 trade show, Continental and Aurora, a U.S.-based company, formalized an exclusive partnership to develop electronic architectures (hardware and software) dedicated to automated or autonomous vehicles. Another transatlantic alliance involves Iveco and Plus, a California-based firm. Plus partners with the Traton Group (including MAN) and Hyundai Motor Company to automate truck driving at level 4. In May 2024, renault Group announced a cooperation with the Chinese company WeRide.
Autonomous Vehicles on the Strategic Dialog Agenda
On March 5, 2025, the Strategic Dialogue mission initiated by European Commission president Ursula van der Leyen also included automated vehicles on the agenda of a future dedicated support plan. A European Alliance for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles is announced. It will involve public and private partners with a budget of 1 billion euros (through the Horizon Europe 2025-2027 programs),with the Commission committing to the rapid definition of harmonized regulations.
The European Commission will launch the ‘European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance.’ Its goal is to develop an EU-wide, open platform on Software-Defined Vehicles, as well as an in-vehicle computing architecture.
The list of industrial partnerships and the Commission’s sudden eagerness to develop a European autonomous vehicle ecosystem (from microprocessors to software) suggest that Europe’s led is diminishing. In France, Navya and Easymile, pioneers in these technologies, have experienced or are experiencing severe cash flow difficulties.Easymile has been under safeguard proceedings as the summer of 2024. According to Benjamin Beaudet, CEO of beti™, which is actively working to commercialize services based on “automated shuttles,” American and Chinese companies have accelerated their efforts over the past two years and have gained a meaningful technical and commercial advantage due to substantial investments. Another fundamental issue for the French, or European, camp may not be related to money but to methodology.
The advancement of autonomous vehicles in Europe has seen slower progress compared to other regions.Tho, “AVs have made it onto some roads in france and Germany and there have been several autonomous vehicle pilots and trials in the UK.” These vehicles have achieved “level 4 autonomy — where a vehicle can perform all tasks in set circumstances, in a specific, geofenced location.”
To be continued: How to move from a gadget to a useful commercial offering?
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europe’s Pursuit of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: A Q&A Update
this article dives into the current state of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) in Europe, addressing key questions and providing an overview of the industry’s progress, challenges, and future direction.
What is Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM)?
Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) refers too vehicles capable of self-guidance without human intervention. It represents a future where vehicles communicate with each other and infrastructure to enhance safety,efficiency,and convenience. The EU is actively promoting CAM through collaborations between member states, industry players, and the European Commission, always considering public interests.
What is the Current Status of Autonomous Vehicle Growth in Europe?
After a period of relative inactivity, there’s renewed interest in developing automated and autonomous vehicles in Europe.Obstacles are being identified, and use cases are becoming clearer. Several initiatives highlight this progress:
Level 4 Automated Shuttle Service: In March 2025, beti™, a French SME, launched the first Level 4 “automated shuttle” service in France, showcasing advancements in specific geofenced locations.
Data Sharing by MAN Truck & Bus: MAN Truck & bus announced in February 2025 that it would make all data related to autonomous vehicles available to the scientific community and automation system developers. This includes 747 scenarios recorded during tests on highways,logistics platforms,urban areas,and roads.
Partnerships and Alliances: Various partnerships are forming between European, American, and Asian companies to advance autonomous vehicle technology. Examples include Continental and Aurora (U.S.), Iveco and Plus (California), and Renault Group and WeRide (China).
What is Level 4 Autonomy?
Level 4 autonomy signifies that a vehicle can perform all driving tasks under specific circumstances within a limited, geographically defined area (geofenced location). This means the vehicle can handle all aspects of driving without human intervention in those pre-defined conditions.
what is the European Commission Doing to Support Autonomous Vehicle Development?
The European Commission is actively involved in fostering the development of autonomous vehicles through several initiatives:
Strategic Dialog: Automated vehicles were included in the agenda of the Strategic Dialogue mission initiated by European Commission president Ursula van der Leyen.
European Alliance for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: The Commission announced a European Alliance for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, involving public and private partners with a budget of 1 billion euros (through the Horizon Europe 2025-2027 programs).
Harmonized Regulations: The Commission is committed to the rapid definition of harmonized regulations to facilitate the deployment of autonomous vehicles across the EU.
EU-wide Platform: The European Commission will launch the ‘European Connected and Autonomous vehicle Alliance’ to develop an EU-wide, open platform on Software-Defined Vehicles, and also an in-vehicle computing architecture.
How Does Europe Compare to the US and China in the Autonomous Vehicle Race?
While Europe is making strides, there are concerns that it’s lagging behind the US and China. Benjamin Beaudet, CEO of beti™, notes that American and Chinese companies have accelerated their efforts over the past two years, gaining a technical and commercial advantage due to considerable investments.French pioneers like Navya and Easymile have faced cash flow difficulties, with Easymile entering safeguard proceedings, suggesting potential challenges in the European approach.
What Challenges are European Companies Facing?
European companies face several challenges in the autonomous vehicle sector.
Competition: Stiff competition from American and chinese companies.
Funding: Access to adequate funding and financial resources.
Methodology: Potential issues with the methodologies used for development.
What are some of the key partnerships driving innovation in this sector?
Several partnerships are driving innovation in the European autonomous vehicle landscape:
| Company 1 | Company 2 | Focus |
| :————— | :—————- | :———————————————————– |
| Continental | Aurora (US) | Development of electronic architectures for autonomous vehicles |
| Iveco | Plus (California) | Automating truck driving at Level 4 |
| Renault Group | WeRide (China) | Cooperation on autonomous vehicle technology |
| Traton Group (MAN) | Plus (California) | Automating truck driving at level 4 |
| Hyundai Motor Company | Plus (California) | Automating truck driving at Level 4 |
What are the Level 4 autonomous vehicle pilots and trials happening in UK, France and germany?
While the article generally mentions that “AVs have made it onto some roads in France and Germany and there have been several autonomous vehicle pilots and trials in the UK”, it does not specifically disclose details for each country. Further research would be needed.
What’s Next for Autonomous Vehicles in Europe?
The focus is shifting from simply developing the technology to creating commercially viable and useful offerings. The crucial question is “How to move from a gadget to a useful commercial offering?”. The success of companies like beti™ and the continued investment from the European Commission suggest a path forward, but sustained effort and strategic partnerships will be vital for Europe to remain competitive in the global autonomous vehicle market.