Autonomous Driving Level Classification?

[Gabrielle]

Currently, both domestic and international standards classify autonomous driving into 5 levels. Below is the relevant introduction: Introduction: From L1 to L5, most cars worldwide are currently at L1 level, with only a few, such as Tesla, reaching L2 level and continuously improving. Autonomous vehicles: Also known as driverless cars, computer-driven cars, or wheeled mobile robots, autonomous vehicles are intelligent cars that achieve driverless operation through computer systems. They have a history spanning several decades in the 20th century and showed trends approaching practicality in the early 21st century. Autonomous vehicles rely on artificial intelligence, visual computing, radar, monitoring devices, and global positioning systems working together to enable computers to operate motor vehicles safely and automatically without any human intervention.

[ArthurRose]

As a tech-savvy car user, let me share my understanding of autonomous driving level classification. Defined by SAE International, it consists of six levels. Level 0 is the most basic, representing traditional driving where steering wheel and throttle are entirely human-operated without any assistance features. Level 1 introduces some automation, like adaptive cruise control that helps adjust speed, but steering still requires human control. Level 2 combines more functions, such as lane keeping plus automatic braking – many consumer vehicles like Tesla's Autopilot operate at this level, though drivers must remain vigilant and ready to take over. Level 3 marks significant progress with conditional automation, where the system can temporarily handle driving in specific environments like highways, but requires rapid human response if anomalies occur. Level 4 achieves high automation, enabling vehicles to navigate autonomously in designated areas like urban streets – Waymo's test vehicles exemplify this. The pinnacle is Level 5, representing full self-driving capability where no human intervention is needed, making it as relaxing as riding a taxi. These levels involve not just technology but also regulations and safety, with varying global adoption paces. Currently in China, most vehicles are transitioning between Levels 2 and 3, so it's crucial to carefully examine ADAS specifications when purchasing cars and not get overly swayed by marketing claims.

[MacKing]

I drive a lot in my daily life and find the six levels of autonomous driving quite practical. Level 1 is purely manual, with no assistance at all. Level 2 offers some basic help, like cruise control, which reduces fatigue from constant acceleration. Level 3 is more advanced, allowing the vehicle to steer, accelerate, and decelerate on its own, such as in highway adaptive cruise scenarios, but the driver must remain attentive. Level 4 enables the system to take full control in specific areas like parking lots, though human intervention is still required outside those zones. Level 5 is nearly fully autonomous, where passengers can simply sit back and chat. Level 6 represents the ideal state, capable of handling any situation regardless of weather or location. Most current vehicles are around Level 2, like my car, which makes commuting much easier. However, reaching Levels 4 and 5 will take more time, as rigorous safety testing is essential. When choosing a car, it's crucial to review the list of assisted driving features and not overestimate the system's capabilities—occasional misjudgments can be startling.

[SanTanner]

From a safety perspective, autonomous driving levels are internationally standardized. Level 0 has no automation, Level 1 only provides minor assistance like brake warnings. Level 2 is partial automation, combining functions such as adaptive cruise control, but the driver must monitor at all times. Level 3 is conditional automation where the system takes over under specific conditions, like in traffic jams, but the problem is it may suddenly request human assistance, posing significant risks. Level 4 high automation is much better, operating automatically in limited areas with greater reliability. Level 5 is full automation, the highest level. Currently, Level 2-3 products are common on the market, but Level 4 under testing requires strict regulations to ensure safety and prevent accidents.