Addressing challenges toward the deployment of higher automation (Hi-Drive)

Research Project, 2021 – 2025

Hi-Drive addresses a number of key challenges which are currently hindering the progress of developments in vehicle
automation. The key aim of the project is to focus on testing and demonstrating automated driving, by improving
intelligent vehicle technologies, to cover a large set of traffic environments, not currently achievable.
Hi-Drive enables testing of a variety of functionalities, from motorway chauffeur to urban chauffeur, explored in
diverse scenarios with heterogeneous driving cultures across Europe. In particular, the Hi-Drive trials will consider
European TEN-T corridors and urban nodes in large and medium cities, with a specific attention to demanding, errorprone, conditions.
The project’s ambition is to considerably extend the operational design domain (ODD) from the present situation,
which frequently demands interventions from the human driver. Therefore, the project concept builds on reaching a
widespread and continuous ODD, where automation can operate for longer periods and interoperability is assured
across borders and brands. The project also investigates what factors influence user behavior and acceptance, as well
as understanding the needs of other road users interacting with these vehicles. The removal of fragmentation in the
ODD is expected to give rise to a gradual transition from a conditional operation towards higher levels of automated
driving.
With these aims, Hi-Drive associates a consortium of 41 European partners with a wide range of interests and
capabilities covering the main impact areas which affect users, and the transport system, and enhance societal
benefits. The project intends to contribute towards market deployment of automated systems by 2030. All this
cannot be achieved by testing only. Accordingly, the work includes outreach activities on business innovation and
standardization, plus extended networking with the interested stakeholders, coordinating parallel activities in Europe
and overseas.