Autonomous vehicles (AVs) including fast-growing fleets of self-driving cars and trucks are poised to revolutionize transportation. The global automotive industry is on the cusp of significant change, enabled by innovative automated driving system (ADS) and autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies in a fast-growing market estimated to reach $7 trillion by 2050; yet, widespread deployment hinges almost entirely on safety. 

A single ADS mishap can have far-reaching implications, adversely affecting the acceptance and adoption of autonomous vehicles worldwide. Destruction of property and loss of life caused by any manner of ADS failure will not be tolerated by the public, regulatory bodies, transportation officials, or lawmakers – all of whom seek assurances from automotive manufacturers that the vehicles, including all essential systems, can be trusted to perform reliably no matter what they might encounter on the road.