Automation and Mobility

Automation means doing something automatically so that they control themselves to a greater or lesser extent. This is not a new phenomenon – automation of processes has been going on throughout history, and has escalated since the Industrial Revolution. Digitalisation, i.e. converting analogue data into digital, has made it possible to move from automation to autonomy, i.e. something independent, self-governing or self-determining. Autonomous systems are characterised by having the ability to make decisions about their own actions while performing an operation without being directly affected by an operator. Automation and digitisation have had a major impact on a number of industries in Norway.

Within transportation, logistics and communication, Norway is a leading country in testing autonomous vehicles. On Norwegian roads, we have seen autonomous coaches and cars being tested within the scopes of the Act on testing of autonomous vehicles. Simonsen Vogt Wiig assists a number of clients in the business sector spanning from testing of autonomous vehicles, global players in the electric car market, to smaller, Norwegian technology companies that potentially could have success abroad.

At sea, we have several projects related to autonomous ships and underwater vessels. There is an increasing use of drones for surveillance and information collection, and they are expected to become key solutions for smaller deliveries in the future. Simonsen Vogt Wiig assists, among other things world leading actors in autonomous ships.

Means of transportation are not alone with regard to development. Even digitalisation has entailed major changes with regard to meeting challenges in transportation and logistics. Uberisation and car sharing are examples that prove that new concepts will force themselves through. Simonsen Vogt Wiig has assisted Norwegian companies in becoming world leading in automatic logistics solutions.

With one of the largest aviation departments in Norway, Simonsen Vogt Wiig holds a unique trade knowledge in this sector. We have assisted clients inter alia with the procurement of all-electric aircrafts and we have lawyers who have operative aerial experience. We also follow the development in autonomous drones closely.

Simonsen Vogt Wiig even holds one of the leading legal environments in Norway specialised in infrastructure, and the experience spans from digitalisation of traditional providers of broadband services, to automotive wind-farm projects and national grids for EV charging stations. Our experience also covers satellite technology and regulatory satellite framework.

In addition to working with clients involved in profiled projects with autonomous ships and autonomous vehicles, Simonsen Vogt Wiig also wishes to and focuses on having a close cooperation with start-ups and scale-ups in the shipping, transportation and logistics sectors. With our experience in the technology and transportation sector, we can solve any legal challenge arising from these projects.