In the end, it is up to the individual.

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe discussion on automated mobilities tends to be highly speculative and future-oriented. Many predictions have been made about the ways in which transport will be radically transformed by the ongoing development and implementation of various automated technologies. One criticism leveled at this rapidly expanding societal debate is that it is often based on mere-conjecture. There is a benefit in doing more grounded analysis of automated transport futures, which relate to specific events, organizations, persons, and contexts.In May 2019 Anthony Elliott and Sven Kesselring had the opportunity to talk to Anders Eugensson from the Volvo Group about the current state of the discussion seen from a Europe based car producer. Anders Eugensson has been working for the former Swedish car producer for decades, that is part of the Chinese Geely Group, since 2010. He was involved in many corporate initiatives in the automation of land-based transport. From 2003 to 2018, he served as the Director of Governmental Affairs within Volvo Car Corporation. In 2013, Eugensson received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s US Government Special Award of Appreciation. Currently, he works as an Autonomous Vehicle consultant to Volvo Trucks and Buses.Anthony Elliott and Sven Kesselring sat down with Eugensson to talk about his thoughts and experiences on how transport systems are being automated in a multitude of ways – some hidden, with others in plain sight. Eugensson mainly talks about the topic against his background at Volvo but much if it is actually representative for many developments in the global automotive industry.The interview took place at the inaugral Workshop event of theErasmus+ Jean Monnet Network “Cooperative, Connected andAutomated Mobility: EU and Australasian Innovations (CCAMEU),held in Munich, Germany in May 2019.