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Did you know that there are a total of 6 levels of assistance for driving or autonomous driving? Here are the differences between all of them.
The autonomous car, over time, is closer to being a reality in all segments. Currently, there are multiple options on the market, such as those from Tesla or other manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz or BMW, among others. It is a technology that has been perfected over the years and that, however, they cannot offer solutions beyond Level 3. In total, there are 5 levels in this peculiar industry.
In fact, sets of software either hardware Current ones like Tesla’s Autopilot are not really autonomous driving systems, but rather driving assistants. It is true that Elon Musk claims that his technology is safer than human driving, but regulations still do not allow vehicles have innovations corresponding to Level 4 or 5. This is so because it would imply completely delegating the role of driving to a computer.
Let’s see, therefore, what are the levels of autonomous driving that currently exist, why Level 2 reached is the one that, for the moment, has been marketed and, of course, when will the step be taken for the arrival of the options that do not requireNot even minimal assistance from the user. Here are the keys to understanding how the different driving assistance and autonomous driving systems on the market fit together.
5 levels of autonomous driving to eliminate functions that correspond to the driver
The autonomous car will be a reality in the future and will be accessible in the market. The role of conventional driving will be relegated to the background, being reserved exclusively for those who decide to bet on the traditional method. In fact, it is possible that in the future it will be impossible, by law, being able to drive due to the greater danger it has versus digital technology. Be that as it may, how is this classification divided?
Level 0 of driving autonomy
In this first stage, the driver is in complete control of the vehicle at all times. In fact, there are no security systems that can act if necessary. Only light or acoustic warning lights can appear at any time if driving is going through an abnormal moment. Some examples of them are the system capable of detecting other vehicles in the blind spot or the ability of the technology to detect an unintentional lane change.
Blind spot detection is a technology that has been present in the industry for years Car and Driver
This type of technology has become a priority in some security organizations. In fact, in some cases, the presence of this equipment is key to gaining approval or, simply, to get a better grade in security tests. It is a facility that, moreover, is increasingly accessible to the public due to its lower cost compared to what it was a few years ago.
It is a technology that involves the layout of an element hardware, which is connected to the vehicle’s control unit. This program sends acoustic and light notifications to the driver, making it an interesting tool that contributes to safe driving.
Level 1 driving autonomy
In this step we can find all technology that already has a direct implication in driving. This allows the user to reduce his intervention, but he must always be aware of the steering wheel, since it only serves to offer assistance to the driver. The best example of this is shown by the technology Adaptive Cruise Control. This system, also known as ACC, has been in the industry since the turn of the century.
Thanks to the incorporation of a radar in the front part, this technology allows the vehicle to keep a distance from the car immediately ahead. It is a solution aimed at reducing driver fatigue, since this equipment regulates speed automatically without having to press the accelerator or brake pedal. The radar located in the front is responsible for monitoring the distance in real time at all times.
Adaptive Cruise Control helped reduce driver exposure to fatigue Audi MediaCenter
It should be noted that this technology, however, does not eliminate the role of the driver, since this innovation is only current on the pedals. In the case of the steering wheel, this is always under the control of the person, so we are not dealing with a technology framed within what is known as autonomous driving. This proposal, seen in high-end models during the first decade of the 21st century, is currently present in most of the segments.
Level 2 driving autonomy
At this level, we can find the enhanced version of the ACC described in the previous section. It is a technology that, in addition to being able to maintain a certain speed appropriate to the type of road, allows a certain management of the steering wheel to keep the vehicle within the lane. It is a technology that can currently be found in many cars. This shows to what extent it is establishing itself in the sector.
However, we cannot yet speak of autonomous driving in use, since this program requires the user’s continuous attention. In many countries, in fact, there are imaging systems based on artificial intelligence that allow detect whether or not the driver is paying attention To the road. It is a program that has always aroused controversy due to that false sense of security that is generated by its high level of effectiveness.
Currently, there are also improved versions, which allow the driver to change lanes just by signaling the maneuver with the blinker. The car will be able to detect if there is space and it is safe to overtake. It is, without a doubt, a very interesting technology from the point of view of innovation, but it has always been criticized for the many examples that have been seen since its incorporation as an option.
Level 3 driving autonomy
Level 3, without a doubt, opens us to a new dimension, since the user, in this step, is no longer fully responsible for driving. In this way, the driver can spend his time carrying out other activities, such as looking at his mobile, watching a movie or simply reading the newspaper. The problem with this technology is that, despite its great advance compared to Level 2, it requires a predisposition to act in case of need.
Tesla Autopilot is in very advanced development. YouTube Technonaut
When might this require the driver’s attention? The most characteristic example is shown by climatology. In the event of torrential rain, the sensors fitted to the vehicle may not be able to offer the control unit all the parameters to carrying out safe driving. In these cases, the user should be able to act immediately to take control of the vehicle.
There are already a number of manufacturers with the capacity to distribute this technology, but they do not have particularly cheap prices. The FSD version of Tesla’s Autopilot, for starters, It has a cost of 7,500 euros in the case of Model 3. This is so due to the know-how behind this type of proposal, which incorporates a development of several years.
Level 4 driving autonomy
At this stage, the autonomous car is capable of measuring the need for the driver to take control of the wheel sufficiently in advance. This will allow the same power perform other activities, such as sleep. This is fundamental, since we would be facing a technology capable of responding to multiple cases on the road. It is a proposal that will not reach the market in the short term, but it is something that has already been achieved in a closed circuit.
Level 4 driving autonomy is a technology that will stand out because the driver can not worry about what happens outside the vehicle, since you will have to wait for a warning from the car if it requires your response. This will only happen on certain occasions and, of course, always with the necessary time to be able to be prepared to regain control.
Logically, this technology will imply the provision of a whole battery of technologies aimed at get the most out of autonomous driving. After all, we are facing an innovation with great potential for the coming years.
Level 5 driving autonomy
Finally, we are faced the most outstanding step of this technology. Here, the cars will stand out due to the absence of a steering wheel and pedals. In fact, it is very likely that the interior of the vehicles will change in a very remarkable way, since the role of the classic driver will disappear forever. Thanks to this technology, the vehicle will be able to manage any situation thanks to its advanced systems based on artificial intelligence.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is one of the main companies developing an efficient autonomous driving system El Confidencial
Autonomous driving, at this level, will take a long time to arrive yet. Ultimately, the main problem is that will require introducing very complex variables, from the point of view of security and, of course, at an ethical level. Who to save in case of an imminent accident? Should the occupants of the vehicle be saved despite involving the death of many more people present around? These types of issues are not yet defined.
We will have to wait a while, therefore, to know if this option is viable or if, on the contrary, we will not be witnesses of this type of displacement.
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