What does Level 2 autonomous driving function mean?
4 Answers
Level 2 autonomous driving function refers to partial vehicle automation, where both the human and the system must control the car together. The system cannot control the car independently, and in certain situations, driver intervention is still required. The activation method for Level 2 autonomous driving is: turn on adaptive cruise control, set the maximum speed, and then activate lane assist, allowing the vehicle to take over and drive automatically for short periods. Level 2 autonomous driving is classified as partial automation, where basic operations are performed by the vehicle, while the driver is responsible for monitoring the surroundings and taking over the vehicle when necessary. Main functions include ACC adaptive cruise control, automatic following, automatic parking, etc. For example, if a driver uses automatic parking and notices someone entering the vehicle's surroundings while the car is automatically parking, the driver must immediately intervene and take control.
I've been driving for over a decade and last year upgraded to a new car with L2 driving assistance, which I genuinely find convenient. L2 autonomous driving means the vehicle can partially control itself, such as automatically adjusting speed to follow traffic (adaptive cruise control) and staying centered in the lane (lane keeping). However, the driver must always monitor the road conditions and keep hands on the steering wheel. During highway traffic jams, it allows me to relax my feet, sparing me from constantly pressing the accelerator or brake. But I must emphasize, this is not full self-driving. If the system can't detect lane markings or in bad weather, it might suddenly disengage, requiring immediate driver takeover. From personal experience, once in rainy weather with faded road markings, my car nearly veered out of the lane, but thankfully my quick reaction prevented an accident. In summary, L2 reduces driving fatigue, but safety comes first—never rely on it to handle everything independently.
As an automotive tech enthusiast, I'm quite familiar with L2 autonomous driving. It's a semi-autonomous system where the vehicle handles steering and acceleration/deceleration on its own, like certain brands' adaptive cruise control combined with lane centering. In practical use, sensors and cameras scan the environment in real-time, making driving easier, especially in urban traffic jams where it can almost automatically follow the car ahead. But the key point: drivers must monitor the road at all times - no distractions like checking phones, because if the system fails you need to take over immediately. I find this level quite practical, technically capable of preventing fatigue driving, but it's not truly fully autonomous yet. Many new cars now come with it as standard equipment, and I recommend reading the manual thoroughly to familiarize yourself with the operations before using it.
I always pay special attention to driving safety, and I believe that L2 autonomous driving requires cautious treatment. It means the vehicle assists with some operations, such as automatically controlling speed, direction, and following distance, but the driver must supervise at all times and cannot let go. In reality, media-reported accidents often stem from over-reliance, such as system misjudgment leading to loss of control, and the driver failing to intervene in time, resulting in tragedy. I emphasize that L2 is not fully autonomous; its purpose is to enhance comfort rather than replace human monitoring. When using it, it is essential to follow traffic rules and remain vigilant.
