If they want to fall asleep, like all those Tesla owners, they can. In other words, the car is so capable that the driver isn’t even needed. Level 4 is where things get really interesting, and is sometimes referred to as ‘mind-off’ autonomy. Audi even killed off a Level 3 autonomous driving system in the new A8, simply because the technology was advancing faster than legislators could keep up. In fact there are only a handful or Level 3-capable cars, like the new Honda Legend, and even those are only available in limited quantities in select regions. Level 3 autonomy isn’t widely available in road cars, because it sits in a legal gray area. Level 3 autonomy allows the car to make situational decisions, but a driver must still be alert and ready to take over where necessary. Level 3 is also known as an ‘eyes off’ system, where a person sits behind the wheel, but can take their eyes off the road ahead while the car does all of the actual driving. Tesla’s Autopilot, GM’s Super Cruise, and Nissan’s ProPilot are all examples of Level 2 autonomous driving systems. Level 2 is currently the highest level of autonomy you can get in a commercial car. This is why an attentive driver is still needed, ready to take control at any time. However automakers have warned against this, including Tesla who have said its Autopilot system could do “ the wrong thing at the worst time”. Unfortunately Level 2 autonomy can be confusing for some people, who assume the car is fully autonomous because it’s able to steer and control speed at the same time.
This level is often referred to as ‘hands-off’ autonomy, since the driver doesn’t need to do very much work. Level 2 autonomy is where the car is able to take full control, and handle acceleration, braking and steering at the same time. Other common features include automatic emergency braking systems, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping alarms that alert you if you start to stray out of your designated lane. Level 1 autonomy can also include steering assistance, but only when the driver maintains control over the speed - like auto parking. The car ‘sees’ the traffic around it to alter its speed accordingly. The most recognizable Level 1 autonomous feature is adaptive cruise control, where the car has control over acceleration and braking, but the driver remains in control of the wheel. Level 1 is the most common form of autonomy out there right now, and involves the driver and the car sharing control over the road.
This level also includes cruise control, provided it’s the old-school cruise control where the driver still has to control braking and acceleration. It’s a car that has absolutely zero autonomy, and all driving has to be taken care of by the driver.
0 kommentar(er)
