DIN and SAE International Release a Primer for Automated Vehicle Terminology

In current discussions surrounding the AV industry, specific terms are frequently misrepresented or used in multiple contexts. To establish common language for autonomous vehicle (AV) development, Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V. (DIN), commonly known as the German Institute for Standardization, and SAE International worked together to published DIN-SAE Spec 91381, Terms and Definitions Related to Testing of Automated Vehicle Technologies  .

Even now, terms differ among countries and even within them. The bilingual DIN-SAE Spec 91381 document – the first collaboration between the two standards development organizations – was developed to establishes unambiguous terms and definitions as a reference for global communication and the development of additional standards. The timing of the publication comes just in time, as research and development intensifies by the day and autonomous platforms near projected commercialization and deployment targets.

Published in German and English, this document is available free-of-charge from SAE International  , or from DIN’s publisher Beuth  . The consortium responsible for its development is willing and eager to receive feedback on the standard.

William Kucinski  is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..