What functions does Level 2 autonomous driving have?
4 Answers
Level 2 autonomous driving generally has four functions: adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, and automatic parking. Level 2 autonomous driving refers to partial vehicle automation, meaning the system and human jointly control the vehicle, with automatic operation only possible under specific conditions. Level 1 autonomous driving is driver assistance, Level 2 is partial automation, Level 3 is conditional automation, Level 4 is high automation, and Level 5 is full automation. Vehicles equipped with autonomous driving have numerous sensors and cameras, typically installed on front/rear bumpers, vehicle sides, mirrors and other locations.
I've driven quite a few cars with L2 autonomous driving, which basically helps you keep the steering wheel steady on the highway without constant adjustments. For example, if you set the cruise control to 120 km/h, it automatically maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. If the car in front slows down, it decelerates accordingly, and it can even handle a complete stop without issues. It's especially useful in traffic jams—it automatically follows the car ahead, so you don't have to keep your foot on the pedal, making long highway drives much less exhausting. There's also lane-keeping assistance; if you slightly drift out of your lane, the steering wheel gently corrects itself. When reversing, it can actively brake if an obstacle is detected. However, you still need to keep your hands on the wheel—the system periodically reminds you to give it a slight shake to confirm you're paying attention before it continues working.
Once, while test-driving a friend's new car, I found that this generation of driver assistance systems is quite smart. After activating cruise control, it not only follows the car ahead automatically but also slowly changes lanes when the turn signal is on, with the steering wheel noticeably turning on its own. When driving at night, if the light is too dim, it can even switch to high beams automatically. If a car or electric scooter suddenly appears from the side or rear while reversing, the alarm sounds urgently and the car actively brakes to a stop. Parking is even more effortless—just tap the central screen, and it automatically parks into a parallel spot, with the steering wheel turning more smoothly than an experienced driver. However, when it rains and the road markings become blurred, manual takeover is necessary, as the system can still get confused.
You'll understand these features are fundamentally for safety once you've used them. When distracted driving causes lane departure, the system takes control of the steering wheel, with vibrations stronger than a smartphone alarm. If you follow too closely, the dashboard flashes red. The most useful is the pedestrian detection—once in an alley, a child suddenly ran out, and the car braked automatically two seconds faster than my reaction. Automatic parking is especially friendly for beginners, eliminating steering wheel dilemmas. Of course, if the system fault light comes on, you still need to visit the 4S store to check the module.
