Estimates Replies

Driverless Cars

In reply to Mr MARSHALL (Dunstan—Leader of the Opposition) (28 July 2016). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier): I have been advised:

The South Australian Government remains committed to the Driverless Cars Initiative through the budget portfolio of the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. On November 14, 2016 applications opened for the $10 million Future Mobility Lab Fund to boost local testing, research and development of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. This initiative builds on South Australia's achievements in the area of connected and autonomous vehicles including:

Staging the first on-road trials in the Southern Hemisphere

Hosting the first international driverless car conference in Australia

Introducing Australian-first legislation to allow for on-road trials of autonomous vehicles

Additionally an agreement between the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative includes a financial commitment to the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI) of $0.450 million over three years, which includes the establishment of the national ADVI Centre of Excellence in Adelaide.

South Australia is leading the nation in embracing this new era in automotive technology we are home to world-leading companies such as Cohda Wireless, SAGE Automation and Sydac and the State Government is providing opportunities to further grow and keep building on these impressive success stories.