Levels of Car Automation

Level 0 - No Automation
This describes your old cars. No bells and whistles. Just your ordinary cruise control to help with long distance driving and minimize the risk of a speeding ticket from a lead foot. Almost all cars today will offer Level 0 autonomous technology.

Level 1 - Driver Assistance
Here we can find your adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist to help with driving fatigue. Adaptive cruise control will keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you by using radars and/or cameras to automatically apply braking when traffic slows, and resume speed when traffic clears. Lane keep assist will help nudge you back into the lane should you veer off a bit. These systems will assist drivers but still require the driver to be in control. You can find Level 1 autonomy in almost all cars today, including the 2018 Toyota Corolla (Toyota Safety Sense1) and the 2018 Nissan Sentra (Intelligent Cruise Control).

Level 2 - Partial Automation
This is where it gets a bit more interesting. Although the driver must have hands on the wheel and be ready to take control at any given moment, level 2 automation can assist in controlling speed and steering. It will help with stop-and-go traffic by maintaining the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, while also providing steering assist by centering the car within the lane. These features are a godsend for commuters! Tesla Autopilot, Volvo Pilot Assist, Audi Traffic Jam Assist are some examples of Level 2 autonomous capabilities.

Level 3 - Conditional Automation
Here’s where we start blurring the line between present technology and technology that’s soon to come. Level 3 autonomous vehicles are capable of driving themselves, but only under ideal conditions and with limitations, such as limited-access divided highways at a certain speed. Although hands are off the wheel, drivers are still required behind the wheel. A human driver is still required to take over should road conditions fall below ideal. The next generation 2019 Audi A8 is expected to be the first to market a level 3 autonomous driving system3.

Level 4 - High Automation
K.I.T.T.? Is that you? Not just yet. Level 4 autonomous vehicles can drive themselves without human interactions (besides entering your destination) but will be restricted to known use cases. We're not too far from seeing driverless vehicles out on public roads. Though regulations constrict its availability, Waymo has developed and is in the process of testing Level 4 vehicles capable of driving themselves in most environments and road conditions4. If there were no regulations or legal obstacles, you’d likely see more level 4 vehicles on the road today!

Level 5 - Full Automation
Super Pursuit Mode! At Level 5 autonomy we arrive at true driverless cars. Level 5 capable vehicles should be able to monitor and maneuver through all road conditions and require no human interventions whatsoever, eliminating the need for a steering wheel and pedals. Combine a Level 5 autonomous car with a capable voice assistant and you’ll have your very own K.I.T.T.!

Although many of the technological components exist for an artificially intelligent car today, due to regulations and legal battles, Level 5 vehicles are probably still many years away. Until then, we’ll have to settle for partial automation. Hands at 10 and 2!

Tech & Safety