How Many Levels Are There in Autonomous Driving Classification?
2 Answers
Divided into 6 different levels from 0 to 5. Level 0 Driving Automation: Emergency assistance only. The driving automation system cannot continuously perform lateral or longitudinal motion control of the vehicle in dynamic driving tasks, but has the capability to continuously perform partial object and event detection and response in dynamic driving tasks. Level 1 Driving Automation: Partial driving assistance. The driving automation system continuously performs lateral or longitudinal motion control of the vehicle within its designed operational conditions, and has the capability to perform partial object and event detection and response corresponding to the executed lateral or longitudinal motion control. Level 2 Driving Automation: Combined driving assistance. The driving automation system continuously performs both lateral and longitudinal motion control of the vehicle within its designed operational conditions, and has the capability to perform partial object and event detection and response corresponding to the executed lateral and longitudinal motion control. Level 3 Driving Automation: Conditional automated driving. The driving automation system continuously performs all dynamic driving tasks within its designed operational conditions. Level 4 Driving Automation: High automated driving. The driving automation system continuously performs all dynamic driving tasks and dynamic driving task takeover within its designed operational conditions. Level 5 Driving Automation: Full automated driving. The driving automation system continuously performs all dynamic driving tasks and dynamic driving task takeover under all drivable conditions. This represents a truly meaningful autonomous driving system.
The topic of autonomous driving level classification is quite familiar to me. As someone who frequently drives long distances, I've personally experienced many systems. Simply put, there are six levels: Starting from Level 0, it relies entirely on manual operation—just like driving an old-fashioned van without any assistance. Level 1 offers a bit of help, such as cruise control, which maintains speed but still requires you to steer and brake. Level 2 steps up to partial automation, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance, making highway driving much more relaxed but requiring constant vigilance. Level 3 can take control under specific road conditions, but the driver must be ready to take over in emergencies—this is relatively rare. Level 4 achieves high automation in designated areas like urban main roads, operating without human intervention, though it may fail in poor weather. Level 5, the ideal, is fully autonomous in any environment, but it's still in testing—low risk but high cost. The classification helps everyone understand the technological tiers. I've driven Level 2 cars and found them labor-saving, but there's always the worry of unexpected situations, so staying alert to road changes remains essential.
