This week we introduce next AIthena consortium partner: Rupprecht Consult

Rupprecht Consult – Forschung & Beratung GmbH is an independent private research and consultancy company based in Cologne, Germany. Since 1996, we’ve been developing innovative solutions for sustainable development in cooperation with our partners from across Europe and beyond. We are known for our work on integrated mobility, collective transport, and new technology applications as well as people-focused mobility solutions.

Our team consists of experienced researchers and advisors on strategic policy development, and we provide high quality services as project developers and managers in diverse environments. In addition, we pride ourselves on our track record in learning and knowledge transfer activities. Our colleagues all have international experience and collectively speak over a dozen languages. We have qualifications in economics, social sciences, geography, spatial planning, environment, technology, and public relations.

What is the role of Rupprecht Consult and the team in the project?

The Rupprecht team working on AIthena consists currently of Bonnie Fenton, Daniel Franco, and Lakshya Pandit. Formerly Sinziana Rasca was also involved in the project. Together, they are leading the activities of work package 1, in which the AIthena methodology is being developed.

What are you currently working on in the project?

Rupprecht’s current AIthena activities are:

• The development of a set of checklists and guidelines intended for both CCAM developers and testers as well as regulators and those considering the implementation of a CCAM system in their jurisdiction. The checklists and guidelines enable users to check whether the AI-based CCAM system they are developing are fair and ethical, transparent, accountable, accurate and robust and ensure the privacy of both those inside and outside the vehicle.

• Supporting the definition of the project’s four use cases (perception, situational awareness, decision making, AI-based traffic management) so that these follow the AIthena methodology and are developed with human centricity at the forefront. As part of this task, a detailed survey was conducted across Europe to try to understand the needs, expectations, and concerns of potential users of self-driving vehicles as well as those in the streets around them.

From your perspective, how do you see the contribution of the AIthena project to building trustworthy, explainable, and accountable AI-based CCAM?

AIthena is being developed with a system-focused approach to human centricity, which considers a wide range of factors that could play an important role in people’s acceptance of self-driving vehicles in their cities.

You can read more about the Rupprecht Consult – Forschung & Beratung GmbH at Rupprecht Consult | Rupprecht Consult (rupprecht-consult.eu)