What’s the difference between driver support features and automated driving?

In this article, we explore how self-driving cars are defined and ask: 

• Why are autonomous driving levels important? 
• Where on the autonomous driving scale are we right now? 
• Are there any level 3 autonomous cars?  

While the term ‘self-driving’ might at first seem self-explanatory, it’s important to remember that not everything we refer to as an ‘autonomous vehicle’ is made equal. Where some autonomous vehicles (AVs) might be able to change lanes or merge onto the highway under a driver’s close supervision, others go as far as allowing the people in a vehicle to disengage from task of driving completely. 

It’s because of this variation that the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) decided to classify the levels of automation back in 2014. They developed a system to describe six degrees of automated driving: from zero automation to full automation.  

Recently, it has even been updated as the SAE recognise that levels 0-2 are better defined as ‘driver support features.’ Level 3 and above encompass what they would now refer to as ‘automated driving features.’ This scale is vital to conversations around self-driving cars as the six levels below are now the most widely used system of classification, having become an accepted industry standard. 

Why are autonomous driving levels important? 

There are many reasons why this scale is proving valuable to manufacturers and self-driving enthusiasts alike. For anyone hoping to ride in an autonomous vehicle, or interested members of the public, this scale provides insight into the industry and developing technologies. By defining the human involvement needed to drive safely at each level, the potential for confusion, and ultimately accidents, is reduced. Each stage has clear guidelines and makes it easy to understand complicated tech in relation to the people inside the vehicle. 

For developers of driverless technology, the definitions within this structured scale provide guidance on the direction of progress. They provide a benchmark against which to measure the success of any new technologies too. Ultimately, this classification system helps us to measure progress, define use cases and ensure safety. However, some are now questioning whether the original, six-level scale is still fit for purpose. 

Where on the autonomous driving scale are we? 

Right now, most driverless vehicles would be referred to as Level 2. This means partial automation has been achieved, where steering and acceleration can be controlled by the vehicle, but a human driver must always be ready to take over. There are a good number of such vehicle systems on the market, including Tesla’s so-called “Autopilot”, Volvo’s Pilot Assist and Ford’s BlueCruise. 

Something of a bottleneck is now forming at this level though, as many developers are struggling to bridge the gap between this and Level 3, where the vehicle is aware of its own limitations and so a human driver doesn’t need to constantly monitor progress. This is why the term ‘Level 2+’ has emerged. Sitting somewhere in the middle, it promises an enhanced, connected experience without the pressure of making the vehicle ‘self-aware’ and all functions work without human monitoring. Sought-after self-driving features like lane control, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign reading, highway merging and more can be delivered at this level, and it is here that commercial driverless development currently rests.