Automated Mobility: A Comparison between Aviation and Automotive

Machine automation is often faster, more repeatable, precise, and reliable than human reflexes. Humans as machine operators are also prone to distraction, fatigue, and cognitive overload. World Health Organization (WHO) considered human error as the single largest cause of all collisions today and a contributing factor in more than 90% of fatal crashes [1]. Minimizing the role of human operator is one of the motivations for the developments in automation, both in air and ground transportation. While the role of autopilot in aviation is both a precursor and inspiration for self-driving technology in ground transportation, there are significant differences between the two. This paper sheds lights on similarities, differences, and potential synergies between automation in aviation and ground transportation.