3FOOD

Third Industrial Revolution Consulting Group
3 Digitalization as an Enabler
Investments in digitalization, smart infrastructures, and standard protocols of communication
will facilitate the build out of the Internet of Things platform.
3.1 Technical
3.1.1 Build a comprehensive transportation data system.
A continuous flow of Big Data on transportation and logistics, made possible by the Internet of
Things platform, will take Luxembourg into a new era of digitally mediated mobility. Vehicles in
the network will be able to send and receive data in real time, communicating with other
vehicles, the infrastructure, and buildings, allowing drivers and passengers to adapt journeys to
real-time traffic conditions. Big Data will also facilitate mobile bookings, and optimize the
scheduling of pick-up and delivery of goods. The increasing capacity to generate Big Data and
mine it with analytics, creating algorithms and apps to increase aggregate efficiency and
productivity is a radical change in mobility that will need to be carefully regulated. Resiliency
will need to be built into the Mobility Internet to secure data and avoid cyberattacks.
3.1.2 Boost autonomous cars
Autonomous personal cars, and taxis will take longer to appear than autonomous public
transport, since they will have to be able to travel on any road, in any condition of traffic, with
very little assistance from “intelligent infrastructure.” The first level of automation is introduced
as “driving aids” in which the car is still controlled by a human driver. Today, some vehicles are
technically capable of following a specified route, as well as making autonomous decisions such
as changing lanes when overtaking another vehicle, or braking in an emergency. This is defined
as “level 3” automation by the SAE. Full automation, not requiring the presence of a driver on
board, is defined as “level 5” automation. The widespread availability of level 5 – fully
autonomous vehicles – will likely be a reality after 2030.
Fully autonomous vehicles in an experimental context are already in play in Singapore and
Pittsburgh. However, since these are experimental projects, a driver is still needed to supervise
the vehicle and take control if needed. Companies like Google expect that in the next five to ten
years, level 5 vehicles could be deployed. However, a scenario where most vehicles on the
roads will be autonomous will likely take place after 2030.
All the preceding levels of automation will only remain driving aids where the presence of a
driver is still needed and will not therefore have a substantial impact on how cars are used.
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