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Autonomous Vehicle Safety and Test Drivers

Outlook

The global autonomous car market is expected to grow in value from $1.50 billion in 2022 to $13.63 billion by 2030, according to Fortune Business Insight. The data analytics firm says that "one of the ongoing market trends includes the increasing focus on the commercial applications of AVs. Several companies are shifting their attention from purely passenger vehicles to autonomous solutions for logistics, delivery services, and ride-sharing."

ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm, predicts that 8 million consumer vehicles shipping in 2025 will feature SAE Level 3 and 4 technologies (these vehicles require the presence of drivers) or SAE Level 5 technology (these vehicles do not require a human driver). That may be an optimistic prediction as many AV companies struggle to perfect AV software and hardware. Automakers reported nearly 400 crashes of vehicles with partially automated driver-assist systems in an 11-month period from 2021 to 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There will continue to be a need for safety and test drivers during the next decade—although it’s important to remember that this occupational group is small. Safety and test drivers who have experience driving large vehicles (such as trucks and buses) and a strong background in software development, artificial intelligence, and related fields will have the best job prospects.

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