Understanding “Autonomous Level” in a Vehicle

The world of cars is evolving, and technology is driving us towards a future where driving becomes more comfortable and safer for everyone. You might have heard about different "Levels" assigned to cars, indicating their autonomous capabilities. But what do these Levels really mean?

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has classified vehicles into Levels 0 to 5, based on how much they can assist the driver and handle various road conditions.

Level 0: At this level, the driver manages everything - steering, acceleration, and braking. The car may have safety features like collision warnings or emergency braking, but they don't continuously support the driver; they're more like emergency systems than assistance.

Level 1: Cars here have a driver assistance system aiding either lateral (steering) or longitudinal (braking, accelerating) control. Examples include Lane Keeping Assistance (LKAS) or Adaptive Cruise Control, helping the driver within specific limits.

Level 2: These cars combine both lateral and longitudinal control assistance, taking a more significant share of the driving task. However, they're not self-driving. Drivers must remain engaged, keeping their hands on the wheel and monitoring the road.

Level 2+: Some vehicles allow hands-off driving on certain roads, but the driver must keep their eyes on the road and be ready to take control if needed. However, only a few countries permit such systems.

Level 3: This level steps into automated driving territory. The vehicle can handle most tasks, allowing the driver to be "hands off" and "eyes off" but ready to take control within seconds if needed.

Level 4: Moving towards autonomous driving, these vehicles might not need a driver. They can operate independently but might have limitations in certain driving or weather conditions and may have predestined routes.

Level 5: This level is the ultimate goal for fully autonomous driving. These vehicles can navigate in any road and weather conditions without any driver intervention. However, Level 5 cars are still a vision for the future.

In the journey towards autonomous driving, IEE's Hands Off Detection (HOD) sensor plays a crucial role. It ensures drivers keep their hands on the wheel in Level 1 or Level 2 systems. Additionally, it monitors the shift from manual to automated driving in Level 3 vehicles. Even for future Level 4 or 5 cars, when drivers want to take control in lower-level modes, the HOD sensor will verify their engagement in the driving task.