The Republic of Ireland could be a global hub for driverless vehicle technology, creating up to 100,000 jobs, according to British engineer Arup.
The country could expect its existing role as a base for thousands of global technology companies looking for low tax rates on the Connected and Autonomous Automotive Industry (CAV), a market that is expected to grow to $ 180 billion by 2023.
To achieve this, the government should identify its strengths and weaknesses and develop technologies and training to fill in gaps.
These gaps include research and business capabilities in cybersecurity, data centers, cloud computing, video analytics, autonomy systems, communications networks and sensors, Arup argues in his report.
It should therefore be appropriate for the “impending introduction of CAVs into the road network”.
It does not matter that there is no autonomous automotive industry in Ireland at present, says Arup, because the most valuable parts of the CAV value chain are basing on more terms.
CAVs when a country does not have an existing vehicle production capacity, “says the Arup report.
“However, it is clear that most jobs related to the development of CAVs and the services they can provide in the data production and interpretation as automobiles develop into ‘supercomputers on wheels’ creating new markets for providing information and experiences to the traveling public “
John McCarthy, Deputy Director and Head of Intelligent Mobility for Arup in Ireland said: “Government plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and secure deployment of connected and autonomous vehicles on our roads.”
He believes Ireland, with more than 5,000 companies already active in digital technology, ICT and financial services, is well positioned to play a leading role in job creation.