Insurer AXA has called on the government to clarify rules on the sharing of data, which it says is needed to keep the pedal on the gas when it comes to driverless cars, and to develop cyber security standards.

A new report has identified emerging issues in the evolution of Connected & Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) and makes recommendations on investment, data and cyber security – which AXA says will help to accelerate the next stage of driverless vehicles development. Establishing rules in this area is fundamental “to support the development and exploitation of the technology required to maintain the future of driverless cars,” AXA said in a release.

The report, jointly produced by AXA and independent UK law firm Burges Salmon, found that the transport sector is undergoing a period of unprecedented technological change, which has the potential to open up new opportunities for UK growth and improve accessibility to better meet the needs of the customer. But the opportunities come with risks, too.

“Connectivity is fundamental to the evolution of the transport ecosystem but brings with it new and emerging risks, such as cyber security and data protection,” David Williams, technical director at AXA said.

The emerging CAV ecosystem is bigger than any one industry, he said, and it is incumbent on motor manufacturers, infrastructure providers and transport network operators to standardise and allow access to crucial data. “That way, the relevant third parties such as insurers and the emergency services will be able play their part in the event of an accident… If we are serious about a world in which children born today will never need to take a driving test then we need to get CAV cyber security and data protection right,” Williams stressed.


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