Driving assistance systems have become a constant presence on the cars on the market. However, we often hear about autopilot and autonomous driving, passing a message where the cars are able to travel in a completely independent way from the intervention of the motorist. The reality, on the other hand, is quite different, where those who sit behind the wheel must concentrate on driving and keep their hands on the wheel since today there are no systems capable of completely replacing humans. It is important though
know the different levels of autonomous driving and distinguish the aids present on board. To distinguish the different levels of autonomous driving, the division created by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is used by convention, which in 2014 created guidelines to distinguish and identify the level of automation in a vehicle. We always remember the importance of staying focused when behind the wheel. It is important to remember that today no system on the market is able to exclude the driver from the control of the vehicle and there are no level 5 autonomous driving systems, that is the highest point with cockpits without steering wheel and total automation.
1) Level 0 autonomous driving
The driver controls all driving modes and vehicle movements, even in the event of the warning system. There is no automation. Control of steering, speed and driving environment is entrusted exclusively to the motorist. In case of need for intervention in dynamic situations, the driver must intervene. This level also includes cars that have systems such as the warning of the involuntary lane change and the detection of the blind spot.
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2) Level 1 autonomous driving
With the first level comes the assistance to the driver. The system in some driving modes controls steering and speed using information about the driving environment, with the expectation that the driver controls all remaining aspects. Steering and speed control is managed by the driver and the system, while the supervision of the surrounding environment is exclusively in the hands of man like dynamic situations. On the road it translates into the lane maintenance system capable of intervening on the steering and adaptive cruise control, capable of maintaining a standard distance from other cars and slowing down if necessary.
3) Level 2 autonomous driving
Passing to level 2 you get to a partial automation on board. The system can control all dynamic aspects of the car, using information about the driving environment and the driver supervises the rest. Steering and speed can be entrusted to the system, while the control of the surrounding environment and intervention in dynamic situations is always in the “hands” of the driver. With level 2 the car cannot circulate in a semi-autonomous form in certain contexts such as motorway sections. The on-board systems allow you to take your hands off the wheel for a few moments but, in addition to being prohibited by the Highway Code, it is essential to always be in control and not get distracted.
4) Level 3 autonomous driving
Level 3 leads to conditioned automation and the system controls all the dynamic aspects of driving, with the driver having to respond promptly to a request for intervention. The system can have control of steering, speed and the surrounding environment and the driver must intervene in sudden situations. In vehicles equipped with level 3, the system is able to make the car proceed autonomously, without the need for human intervention, in road sections such as motorways and expressways. This is possible after activation by the motorist himself, who can travel without hands on the steering wheel but must remain alert and ready to intervene. The legislation, even if there are vehicles equipped with level 3, does not allow the use of this system on roads open to the public.