what are the driverless cars called

[Teddy]

The most accurate umbrella term for these vehicles is automated vehicles (AVs) or automated driving systems (ADS). However, what people commonly call "driverless cars" fall into specific categories based on their level of autonomy, defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J3016 standard. You'll most often hear terms like self-driving cars, autonomous vehicles, and specific branded systems like Tesla's "Full Self-Driving (FSD)" or GM's "Super Cruise."

The key is understanding the levels, as not all "driverless" tech is created equal. Most systems available to consumers today are Level 2 (partial automation), meaning they assist with steering and acceleration but require the driver to constantly supervise.

SAE Level	Name	Technical Definition	Driver's Role	Example Systems
Level 0	No Automation	The human performs all driving tasks.	Full-time driver	Basic cars with no assists
Level 1	Driver Assistance	The vehicle can assist with either steering OR acceleration/braking.	Full-time driver	Basic Adaptive Cruise Control
Level 2	Partial Automation	The vehicle can control both steering AND acceleration/braking simultaneously.	Must constantly supervise	Tesla Autopilot, GM Super Cruise
Level 3	Conditional Automation	The vehicle drives itself under specific conditions, alerting the driver to take over.	Must be ready to intervene	Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT (in limited areas)
Level 4	High Automation	The vehicle can operate without a driver in a defined geographic area or under specific conditions.	No driver required within its "Operational Design Domain (ODD)"	Waymo One robotaxis (Phoenix, San Francisco)
Level 5	Full Automation	The vehicle can drive anywhere, in all conditions, that a human driver could.	Passenger	Not yet commercially available

True driverless cars, like those operated by Waymo and Cruise in certain cities, are typically Level 4. They use a combination of technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radar, cameras, and advanced software to navigate. It's important to be an informed consumer, as marketing names can be misleading; a system called "Full Self-Driving" may still require you to keep your hands on the wheel.

[AmirLynn]

Most folks just call them self-driving cars. You'll hear about Tesla's "Autopilot" or "Full Self-Driving" a lot, but it's not like the car does everything for you yet. You still gotta pay attention. Then there are the real-deal robotaxis from companies like Waymo that don't have a driver at all, but those are only in a few cities right now. The tech is amazing, but we're not at the point where you can take a nap on your commute.

[June]

The industry standard is to categorize them by levels from 0 to 5. Level 2 systems (like what you find in many new cars) provide driving assistance but require constant driver supervision. The truly autonomous vehicles you see in the news are Level 4, capable of driving themselves in specific, mapped areas without a human driver. The ultimate goal is Level 5, but that's still a long way off. Knowing the level helps cut through the marketing hype.

[ConnorDella]

As a parent, my interest is in safety. They're called automated driving systems, and the most important thing is the technology behind them: sensors, cameras, and computers that are supposed to prevent accidents. I'm cautiously optimistic about systems that can eliminate human error, like drunk or distracted driving. But I want to see solid, independent safety data before I'd ever trust one with my kids in the backseat. The promise is huge, but the proof needs to be undeniable.

[DelMarley]

I follow the tech side, so I think in terms of the core technology. The general term is autonomous vehicles, but the key differentiator is the sensor suite. You have camera-based systems like Tesla's, which rely heavily on visual data, and LiDAR-based systems used by companies like Waymo, which create a precise 3D map of the environment. There's a big debate over which path is better for achieving full autonomy. It's not just about a name; it's about the fundamental approach to solving the problem of driving.