Different Levels Of Autonomous Driving
26 Aug 2020
‘Autonomy’, like ‘EV’ and ‘Hybrid’, earns a new meaning in the context of motoring in the 21st century. As safety and environmental expectations have evolved, the technology used in car manufacture has developed to an almost unrecognisable standard.
Though we are still miles from completely driverless cars, when considering the different levels of autonomous driving, we might be closer than you think. In this article, we discuss the six levels ( from 0 to 5) of autonomous driving and what each represents.
Level 0 Autonomous Driving; No Automation
This describes cars as we have generally known them, i.e., no self-driving features whatsoever. The driver is in full control of the vehicle, from reacting to hazards to parallel parking, all actions are fulfilled by the human behind the wheel.
Level 1 Autonomous Driving; Driver Assist
Mostly familiar with drivers who have access to newer autonomous vehicles, though increasingly becoming the new ‘norm’, level 1 autonomy allows the car more control over speed and distance. Adaptive cruise control and park assist are good examples of split control between the driver and the car. When ACC is activated, the car maintains a steady distance from vehicles in front while the driver remains responsible for steering. When using park assist, the car organises the steering while the driver takes ownership of the speed.
Level 2 Autonomous Driving; ‘Hands-Off’
This level of driving autonomy allows the car control over steering, acceleration and braking. However, despite being labelled ‘hands-off’, as part of safety regulations, the driver must always be prepared to restore control in the event of system failure. As such, the driver must always have their hands on the steering wheel.
Level 2 automation is illegal in the UK at present. The government is developing a system to support manufacturers to introduce driverless vehicles to British roads by 2021, as such, we can expect to see hands-off driving in our not-too-distant motoring future.
Level 3 Autonomous Driving; Partial Automation
At level 3, you can start to take your hands and your eyes off the road. The car has the ability to control itself entirely, and conversely, tells the driver when they should intervene. Therefore, level 3 cars are the first true example of automated driving with the driver making minimal decisions (albeit well).
Though the technology exists in the UK (Audi’s A8 was the first level 3-ready autonomous car), it lies dormant while the required laws and regulations are implemented, and the necessary features that allow the system to work are installed. This level of autonomy relies on refined maps, radars and sensors that create a digital picture of the surrounding landscape which the car intelligently translates and reacts to. The A8 is able to combat motorway traffic jams provided the speed does not exceed 37mph and there is a physical barrier dividing it from oncoming traffic (click here for amazing A8 lease deals). Until these features are introduced, level 3 autonomous driving is illegal in the UK.
Level 4 Autonomous Driving; ‘Mind-Off’ Automation
This level of automation technology is still in development, as such, is not seen on any public road worldwide. Level 4 automation encompasses all that level 3 provides, but in addition, allows the driver to entirely disengage from the controls while in motion. The self-driving ability of this type of car is either geofenced (which restricts usage to certain areas) or used for slow-moving traffic.
Level 5 Autonomous Driving; Driver Is Optional
The final stretch of driving autonomy is the full reconfiguration of a car’s operational design. With the driver becoming discretionary, the layout no longer needs to accommodate the traditional functions used to operate a vehicle. This evolution of autonomy will not restrict the car to thoroughly supervised surroundings, such as city centres. Instead, through infinite sophisticated data, cars will become... almost conscious. Thus, the steering wheel becomes optional.
Access To Autonomy
While there is no price you can put on safety, there is a price on the emerging autonomous vehicles that offer such functions. Many of the available options are somewhat pricey, as such, leasing creates an incredibly viable option to gaining access to the coolest, most advanced vehicles on the road for a significantly lower cost. The beauty of leasing is that the best specs the motoring world can offer are continually within your grasp. Click here to see the best leasing deals on the market on the cars2buy site.
Though we are still miles from completely driverless cars, when considering the different levels of autonomous driving, we might be closer than you think. In this article, we discuss the six levels ( from 0 to 5) of autonomous driving and what each represents.
Level 0 Autonomous Driving; No Automation
This describes cars as we have generally known them, i.e., no self-driving features whatsoever. The driver is in full control of the vehicle, from reacting to hazards to parallel parking, all actions are fulfilled by the human behind the wheel.
Level 1 Autonomous Driving; Driver Assist
Mostly familiar with drivers who have access to newer autonomous vehicles, though increasingly becoming the new ‘norm’, level 1 autonomy allows the car more control over speed and distance. Adaptive cruise control and park assist are good examples of split control between the driver and the car. When ACC is activated, the car maintains a steady distance from vehicles in front while the driver remains responsible for steering. When using park assist, the car organises the steering while the driver takes ownership of the speed.
Level 2 Autonomous Driving; ‘Hands-Off’
This level of driving autonomy allows the car control over steering, acceleration and braking. However, despite being labelled ‘hands-off’, as part of safety regulations, the driver must always be prepared to restore control in the event of system failure. As such, the driver must always have their hands on the steering wheel.
Level 2 automation is illegal in the UK at present. The government is developing a system to support manufacturers to introduce driverless vehicles to British roads by 2021, as such, we can expect to see hands-off driving in our not-too-distant motoring future.
Level 3 Autonomous Driving; Partial Automation
At level 3, you can start to take your hands and your eyes off the road. The car has the ability to control itself entirely, and conversely, tells the driver when they should intervene. Therefore, level 3 cars are the first true example of automated driving with the driver making minimal decisions (albeit well).
Though the technology exists in the UK (Audi’s A8 was the first level 3-ready autonomous car), it lies dormant while the required laws and regulations are implemented, and the necessary features that allow the system to work are installed. This level of autonomy relies on refined maps, radars and sensors that create a digital picture of the surrounding landscape which the car intelligently translates and reacts to. The A8 is able to combat motorway traffic jams provided the speed does not exceed 37mph and there is a physical barrier dividing it from oncoming traffic (click here for amazing A8 lease deals). Until these features are introduced, level 3 autonomous driving is illegal in the UK.
Level 4 Autonomous Driving; ‘Mind-Off’ Automation
This level of automation technology is still in development, as such, is not seen on any public road worldwide. Level 4 automation encompasses all that level 3 provides, but in addition, allows the driver to entirely disengage from the controls while in motion. The self-driving ability of this type of car is either geofenced (which restricts usage to certain areas) or used for slow-moving traffic.
Level 5 Autonomous Driving; Driver Is Optional
The final stretch of driving autonomy is the full reconfiguration of a car’s operational design. With the driver becoming discretionary, the layout no longer needs to accommodate the traditional functions used to operate a vehicle. This evolution of autonomy will not restrict the car to thoroughly supervised surroundings, such as city centres. Instead, through infinite sophisticated data, cars will become... almost conscious. Thus, the steering wheel becomes optional.
Access To Autonomy
While there is no price you can put on safety, there is a price on the emerging autonomous vehicles that offer such functions. Many of the available options are somewhat pricey, as such, leasing creates an incredibly viable option to gaining access to the coolest, most advanced vehicles on the road for a significantly lower cost. The beauty of leasing is that the best specs the motoring world can offer are continually within your grasp. Click here to see the best leasing deals on the market on the cars2buy site.