Podcast „Deep Dive Mobility“, Episode 5: Autonomous driving – more than AI. When will we have a fully autonomous world, Sheila Nedelcu?
Anja Hendel
Managing Director at diconium | Computer scientist by heart | Passionate about digital and organizational transformation
Autonomous driving is one of the most discussed megatrends in the industry. Our debates revolve around the latest technologies such as machine learning and high-speed data processing. However, what is often forgotten alongside the enthusiasm for the key technology of artificial intelligence (AI) is the importance of maps.
Maps are no longer just for navigation; they need to be dynamic and built with enough detail to meaningfully enhance a vehicle's vision. In the new episode of my podcast “Deep Dive Mobility”, Sheila Nedelcu, Senior Director Automotive Products at HERE Technologies, tells me how the company enables its vision of an autonomous world for everyone. The leading location intelligence and technology platform company provides location data, tools, and services to provide better real-life outcomes. The maps by HERE are used in over 150 million vehicles worldwide.
Transforming the way, we think of transportation
If we want to get from A to B today, the main question is, how we can cover this distance as quickly as possible. Before the pandemic, the issue dominated the lives of many people, for example, in their daily commute to work or their transportation around the city.
Travel time in the car is thus perceived by many people as stress and as a loss of time. Sheila tells me about her exciting vision to change this status quo – for each of us. Because autonomous driving can not only take the burden of driving off us, but it can also give us time back, reduce stress, and at the same time ensure we get to our destination more safely.
So, in a world of autonomous driving, we get more autonomy again. The new technology thereby redefines our use of time as Sheila is convinced. If you don’t have to drive your car yourself, you can get the most out of your time – be it for entertainment or relaxation. This megatrend will not only change the automotive industry but will also bring disruptive changes to many sectors and industries, such as logistics or the hotel industry.
When will autonomous driving become part of our everyday lives?
We can already see examples of autonomous vehicles in practice – on university campuses or in senior citizen facilities. But why is it that we don't yet see queues of autonomous trucks on highways? Back in 2015, The Guardian claimed that we will have self-driving cars for consumers in 2020 – a prognosis that, as we know, has not been confirmed. However, Sheila is confident that we will see this in the future but initially in the form of different levels of autonomy. However, there is still a long way to go until we have a fully autonomous world.
The conversation with Sheila now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Co.
The conversation with Sheila showed me what lies behind the megatrend and the various possibilities that autonomous driving already offers us today. You can now find the interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
What do you think of Sheila's impulses? I look forward to exchanging ideas with you!
Manager Corporate and Investor Services at Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i)
3yAnja, wieder mal ein spannender Podcast. Und doch, wenn man tiefer geht und sich fragt, wieso man das Ganze macht - und du hast sie indirekt mit der Frage, was Mobilität für Sheila sei, gestellt, dann ist die Antwort doch recht banal; "sicher und streßfrei Strecken überwinden". Da frage ich mich, ob wir hier in Europa nicht Chancen verpassen, unsere alternativen Mobilitätskonzepte der Bahn und des Rads attraktiver auszubauen und unseren strategischen Vorteil gegenüber den USA, über halbwegs intakte Städte zu verfügen, nicht verspielen. Wir haben Alternativen zu Autos, die USA nicht wirklich. Denn unsere vielfältigen Mobilitätsoptionen bieten prinzipiell genau schon das, was HEREs Zukunfsvision ist. Und: ermöglichen obendrein noch soziale Interaktion & Integration. Jetzt, wo wieder alle über Diversität sprechen, sollten wir uns fragen, wie wir das auch für Mobilität erreichen können. Da schließe ich mich Wolfgang an und frage noch radikaler, ob wir autonomes Fahren nur verfolgen, weil hier mehr Geld verdient wird?! Was meinen andere?
Kultur wächst durch Begegnung.
3yDie Autohersteller entwickeln gerade Geschäftsmodelle, wie sie mit Menschen in Autos/ bzw. Daten Geld verdienen können. In Verbindung mit relaxation und entertainment klingt das für mich wie eine Drohung. Wir wissen ja welche fiesen Methoden Social Media Kanäle nutzen um uns "zu beschäftigen"... far away from giving back time.... more stealing of time. Das Potential selbst fahrender Autos ist riesig: Zufallsgemeinschaften in intimen Kapseln. Das könnten für Arbeitgeber sehr produktive Zufallsgemeinschaften bei unternehmensgebundenen Ridesharing Modellen sein, wo der Austausch quer zur Hierarchie im Unternehmen passiert. Das könnte ein anderes Miteinander bedeuten, gemeinsames Lernen, wenn der Unterricht nicht erst im Klassenzimmer beginnt, das ermöglicht neue Bekanntschaften im face-to-face Modus, den wir doch zuletzt so sehr vermisst haben. Da gäbe es unzählige Möglichkeiten Marken zu differenzieren und zum Wohle der Menschen auf vielen Ebenen beizutragen. Und schlussendlich auch damit Geld zu verdienen. Das ist es wert, weiter darüber nachzudenken?
Commercial Printing Expert, Problem Solver, and Trusted Advisor; Let's Create Something Amazing Together! Contact me anytime at 469.346.6111 or mike@sirspeedymidway.com
3yI hope never.