With new technology comes new terminology to describe it. Which is why the Consumer Technology Association, working in conjunction with leading automotive and trucking industry OEMs and suppliers, has worked out a “common lexicon” to help consumers better understand the terms and concepts associated with autonomous vehicle technologies.

CTA bills itself an organization that promotes innovation and advocates for the entrepreneurs, technologists and innovators who mold the future of the consumer technology industry.

Among the terms and concepts addressed within the self-driving vehicle terminology:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) or "Driver-Assist" Features: Onboard systems developed to improve safety and performance. Examples include lane departure warnings, collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control and automatic braking

• Aftermarket Technology: Technology services or upgrades provided by companies – unaffiliated with the vehicle manufacturer – added after a vehicle is sold or leased

• Driving Environment Sensing: The capturing, processing and analysis of sensor data (e.g., cameras, radar, LIDAR) to enhance or replace what a human driver senses

• MaaS (Mobility as a Service): The shift from personal ownership of transportation modes to shared transportation systems and services

• Platooning: Synchronous operation of multiple vehicles, often in a convoy, to increase road capacity and efficiency

• Self-Driving Vehicle: A vehicle capable of fully modeling its environment through an array of sensors, maps and other data in order to navigate and drive without human interaction

• Urban Mobility: The ability for people in urban and suburban areas to access all modes and forms of transportation.

"From developments in advanced driver-assist systems to new mobility models, we are together leading a revolution in the transportation sector," said Jessica Nigro, manager, Outreach and Innovation Policy at Daimler and chair of CTA's Self-Driving Working Group. "A common lexicon will increase understanding amongst policymakers, consumers and other stakeholders and encourage sound policies to bring automated driving technology to market."