Artificial Intelligence (AI) gives cars the power to see, think, and learn, so they can navigate a nearly infinite range of possible driving scenarios.
Vehicle autonomy and driver assistance systems rely on a combination of a balanced mix of technologies:
- RADAR (RAdio Detection And Ranging)
- LiDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging)
- Cameras
- V2X (vehicle -to-everything)
All four technologies have their strengths.
Classifications are the adopted standards
the international engineering and automotive industry association, SAE, and in Europe by the Federal Highway Research Institute.
Level 0: Driver only: the human driver controls everything independently, steering, throttle, brakes, etc.
Level 1: Assisted driving: assistance systems help during vehicle operation (Cruise Control, ACC).
Level 2: Partial automation: the operator must monitor the system at all times. At least one system, such as cruise control and lane centering, is fully automated.
Level 3: Conditional automation: the operator monitors the system and can intervene when necessary. Safety-critical functions, under certain circumstances, are shifted to the vehicle.
Level 4: High automation: there is no monitoring by the driver required. Vehicles are designed to operate safety-critical functions and monitor road conditions for an entire trip. However, the functions do not cover all every driving scenario and are limited to the operational design of the vehicle.
Level 5: Full automation: operator-free driving
