EU greenlights Belgium Level‑4 autonomous car tests and mandates driver‑monitoring cameras

Belgian technology firm Aidoptation received permission from the federal Mobility and Transport authority and the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency to conduct Level‑4 autonomous driving trials on public highways. The tests will run on a 100‑km stretch of the E313 and E314 at speeds up to 120 km/h, making Aidoptation the first company in the European Union to trial fully driverless vehicles at highway speeds. Its EdgeDrive platform is designed to intervene in critical situations where human reaction time is insufficient, aiming to reduce severe accidents on motorways.

Separately, the European Union will require that every new passenger car and light commercial vehicle registered from 7 July 2026 be equipped with an Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) system. The system uses infrared cameras to monitor drivers' eye and head movements, issuing visual, auditory and haptic alerts when attention lapses exceed 3.5 seconds at speeds over 50 km/h. Data are processed locally and deleted immediately, with no recording or transmission allowed. Existing vehicles are exempt and retrofitting is not mandated. The rule seeks to curb accidents caused by driver distraction and fatigue across the EU.