An autonomous vehicle (self-driving vehicle) is a vehicle that can sense the environment
and navigate without human intervention. There are equivalents in literature, such as autonomous, driverless, or self-driving cars. Autonomous driving is under development, and development levels are ranked from 0 to 5. Self-driving cars are available in limited capacities, but widespread adoption is still several years away.
Autonomous
cars combine various techniques to sense their environment, including
radar, laser light, GPS, odometry, and computer vision. Advanced control
systems use suitable sensors to read obstacles, relevant signage, and convenient navigation paths.
There are many discussions/types of research, such as the benefits of autonomous vehicles to society, the harms they will cause, the technological difficulties, etc. In this article, we will explain the levels of autonomous driving.
What is the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE):
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is an international organization that develops standards and best practices for designing, manufacturing, and operating automobiles and other vehicles. SAE promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among professionals in the automotive industry, focusing on advancing technology and safety. The organization develops technical standards and guidelines for various topics, including vehicle performance, emissions, safety, and fuel efficiency.
SAE International has established six distinct levels of automation for passenger cars, four of which are demonstrated in the chart. The levels range from 0 to 5 and indicate the extent of autonomous driving capability. Level 4 is anticipated to be released by 2025.
Statista data provides statistics from 2015-2023 and forecasts up to 2025. In short, we will not see level 3 autonomous vehicles on the roads until 2025. The estimated share of newly registered cars worldwide driving levels are stated in the above Statista graph.
What are Autonomous Driving Solutions (ADAS):
Autonomous Driving Solutions (ADS) or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) refer to technologies that support or replace the human driver in controlling a vehicle. These systems use a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and software to analyze the vehicle's surroundings, detect potential hazards, and make driving decisions.
The Autonomous Driving Levels
Level 0: No Automation
The automatic system gives a warning and can intervene momentarily, but there is no continuous vehicle control. At Level 0, the vehicle is purely mechanical and requires the driver to control all aspects of driving, including steering, acceleration, and braking. The vehicle has no features or sensors to assist the driver in these tasks or any automated safety features. They offer no additional automation beyond basic mechanical systems and depend entirely on the driver's skill and attention.
Level 1: Driver Assistance
Level 1
represents a low level of automation, meaning the vehicle has limited automated
capabilities. But still requires significant input and control from a human
driver. The vehicle has basic driver assistance features such as adaptive
cruise control, which can maintain a set speed. A lane departure warning alerts
the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane. These features
assist the driver but do not take full control of the vehicle.
Level 1 cars have automatic features such as a Lane-keeping system, park assist, and cruise control. The driver must always be ready to regain full control at this level.
Level 2: Partial Automation
At Level 2,
the vehicle has more advanced driver assistance features that control
steering and acceleration/deceleration. These features include adaptive cruise
control and lane-keeping assistance. However, the driver is still responsible
for monitoring the vehicle's operation and ensuring that the vehicle is
operating safely. The driver must remain alert and ready to take control of the
vehicle at any time, as the automated features may not handle all driving
situations.
While Level 2 vehicles offer more automation and convenience than Level 1 vehicles, they still require significant input and control from the human driver. Studies have shown that level 2 car driver's intervention causes him to react later than in normal conditions when the driver is constantly driving. Therefore, in level 2 autonomous driving, the driver must be ready to intervene at any time on the steering wheel, accelerator, and brake.
Level 3: Conditional Automation
Level 3
represents a higher degree of automation than Level 2, known as conditional
automation. At Level 3, the vehicle has advanced automated features that handle
most driving situations. So it requires very limited human intervention. These
features include highway driving assistance and steering on highways or other
controlled-access roads.
The driver must not monitor the vehicle's operation at all times but must remain alert and ready to take control. The vehicle may alert the driver to take over control, and the driver typically has a short period of time to respond and take control of the vehicle. There are also technical and regulatory challenges associated with Level 3 vehicles, as they require more advanced sensors and software to operate safely and efficiently. However, many automakers and technology companies are investing in developing Level 3 vehicles, aiming to achieve higher levels of automation.
Level 4: High Automation
At Level 4, the vehicle has highly advanced automated features that can operate without human intervention in most driving situations. These features may include automated highway driving, traffic jams, and parking assistance. The driver is not required to monitor the vehicle's operation at all times. However, in conditions such as severe weather or road damage, you may need to take control of the vehicle.
While Level 4 vehicles offer more advanced automation than Level 3, they still require addressing regulatory and technical challenges before adopting them widely. Taking control of people depends on eliminating the risks of traffic accidents that can have fatal consequences. This requires calculating all external factors and artificial intelligence that solves every eventuality.
Level 5: Full Automation
No human
intervention is required. In this system, it is possible to build taxi fleets
without drivers. There is no need for a steering wheel in such vehicles.
At Level 5,
the vehicle does not require a human driver or any human input to
operate. This means the vehicle can navigate complex traffic scenarios. It
covers negotiating intersections and responding to emergencies without assistance from a human driver. The vehicle's sensors and AI algorithms are
sophisticated enough to handle all driving tasks, including navigation,
steering, acceleration, and braking.
Level 5 autonomous vehicles are the most advanced and complex form of self-driving cars, representing the ultimate goal of the self-driving car industry. The potential benefits of Level 5 automation include increased safety, reduced traffic congestion, improved fuel efficiency, and enhanced mobility for individuals who cannot drive due to physical disabilities.
Conclusion
Self-driving
cars or autonomous vehicles are classified into six levels based on the
required driver input and the degree of automation. Level 0 represents no
automation, while Levels 1 and 2 represent partial automation. Level 3
represents conditional automation, while Level 4 represents high automation.
Level 5 represents full automation, where the vehicle can operate without human
intervention in all driving situations.
Written by: Aykut Alan
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