Minister of State Seán Canney Visit: Autonomous Vehicles in Germany

The Embassy welcomed Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports, Sean Canney T.D. to Germany, alongside a delegation of government officials and state agencies, for a study tour of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Germany is a leader in Europe in the development and piloting of these vehicles.

In Berlin, Minister Canney met with Minister Patrick Schnieder from the German Federal Ministry of Transport where they had a strong engagement on the many issues Ireland and Germany have in common and how regulation can be brought forward in a simple way.

In Hamburg, the Minister met with Senator Dr. Anjes Tjarks from the Authority for Transport and Mobility Transition. Senator Tjarks provided an in depth overview of why Hamburg is a leader in Europe in Connected and Autonomous vehicles.

While in Hamburg, the Minister also visited the HHLA Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, which is integrating autonomous vehicles into their operations. This includes newly arrived gantry cranes which were built by German company Liebherr Maritime Cranes in Killarney, Co. Kerry - an excellent example of the close Irish-German economic relationship in action. Many thanks to Johannes Berg for the tour.

While in Hamburg, the Minister also met with Ireland's longstanding Honorary Consul, Mr. Michael Fisser.

The delegation also visited MOIA, a technology company of Volkswagen Group, which develops on demand ridepooling services and is redefining mobility for people in urban areas. The Minister had the opportunity to take a spin in one of their self-driving vehicles.

Finally, the Minister and delegation visited the DEKRA Technology & Services Centre at the Lausitzring, where he saw how advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving technologies are rigorously tested to the highest safety standards. Many thanks to Erik Pellmann for the kind welcome.

Image Copyright: BMV/Woithe and Annekathrin Tippe / DEKRA