After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) returned to Las Vegas from January 5 to January 8, 2023. While this event showcases electronics of all types, the automotive industry is always one of the main areas of focus. At this year’s CES, automakers revealed an impressive group of self-driving vehicles and autonomous driving features.
Here is a closer look at the current state of self-driving vehicles and what the future may hold.
The Six Levels of Autonomous Driving
Level 0 – No Driving Automation
Level 0 vehicles have no driving automation and are fully manually controlled by the driver. However, a vehicle may still be considered Level 0 if it has certain types of driver support systems capable of temporarily assisting drivers. These technologies may include features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warnings, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning systems. These features are still considered Level 0 since they do not drive the vehicle, even though they do assist the driver in other ways.
Level 1 – Driver Assistance
Level 1 is the lowest level of vehicle automation. At this level, vehicles have at least one driver support system that provides assistance with either steering or braking and acceleration. Drivers of Level 1 vehicles are still responsible for driving and must be ready to take full control of the vehicle at any time.
Adaptive cruise control is one of the most common Level 1 features in modern automobiles. ACC automatically maintains a safe following distance between other vehicles by adjusting the vehicle’s speed. Lane-centering systems are another common example of a Level 1 feature.
Level 2 – Partial Driving Automation
Level 2 autonomous vehicles have advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that can control steering, braking, and acceleration in certain situations. However, these ADAS features still require active supervision from the driver at all times.
Highway Driving Assist technology is one example of Level 2 autonomy. This feature is installed in Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis vehicles. It actively steers, brakes, and accelerates when the vehicle is on the highway, but the driver must keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Currently, Level 2 automation is the highest level of automation in American vehicles.
Level 3 – Conditional Driving Automation
Level 3 automation, or conditional driving automation, includes driver assistance technologies that make decisions based on current driving conditions and situations. Drivers do not need to actively supervise these technologies, which allows them to participate in other activities. However, drivers must remain aware behind the wheel and be ready to take control of the vehicle as needed.
While no Level 3 technologies are currently available in vehicles on the U.S. market, some automakers have developed them. Audi had plans to integrate a Level 3 traffic jam assistance technology into its 2019 A8, but the system never received regulatory approval. Honda became the first automaker in the world to offer Level 3 traffic jam assistance systems to consumers, and their system is offered as an upgrade to the Honda Legend flagship Sedan.
Level 4 – High-Driving Automation
Level 4 autonomy, or high-driving automation, requires no human interaction whatsoever in the operation of the vehicle. Vehicles outfitted with Level 4 technology will be programmed to stop automatically if the system fails. Because human drivers are never necessary, Level 4 vehicles may not come equipped with pedals or steering wheels.
Level 4 technologies will be used for driverless taxis and public transportation. These vehicles could be programmed to travel between two points and may be restricted to specific areas through the use of geofencing technology. A Level 4 vehicle could also be programmed to limit or stop its operations based on certain conditions, such as poor weather.
Level 5 – Full Driving Automation
At Level 5, vehicles require no human interaction. These vehicles will likely be able to travel anywhere and conduct any driving tasks that a human is capable of. Like Level 4 vehicles, Level 5 cars likely will not have steering wheels or pedals. Automakers are currently testing fully autonomous Level 5 cars, but none are available to the general public at this time.
When Will Autonomous Vehicles Hit the Market?
Autonomous vehicle technology is exciting, but it might be a while before you can pick up a fully autonomous vehicle at your local dealership. The United States is unlikely to introduce anything higher than Level 2 for several years due to security concerns.
While these features can help make it safer to drive, digital security matters are a separate concern. Automakers will need to develop cybersecurity standards that can prevent attacks against software and digital components in automobiles.
These security concerns will need to be addressed before autonomous vehicles are accepted by the majority of consumers. Automakers will likely get there eventually, but it is difficult to say exactly when self-driving cars will become popular in the US auto market.