Summary of the 6 Levels of Automated Driving (SAE J3016)
The SAE J3016 standard divides driving automation into six levels, focusing on who is responsible for driving (human driver or automated system) and whether the driver must be constantly alert.
Level: 0
- Name: No Automation
- Brief Description: No automated assistance at all. All control is controlled by a human.
- Primary Responsible Person: Human
- Monitoring: Constant
Level: 1
- Name: Driver Assistance
- Brief Description: Only one assistance system, such as Adaptive Cruise Control or Lane Keeping System.
- Primary Responsible Person: Human
- Monitoring: Constant
Level: 2
- Name: Partial Automation
- Brief Description: An automated system performs multiple functions simultaneously (steering, accelerator/brake) in certain situations, but the driver must still hold the steering wheel or be ready to take control.
- Primary Responsibility: Human
- Monitoring: Constant
Level: 3
- Name: Conditional Automation
- Brief Description: The system can drive autonomously under limited conditions (such as traffic congestion on an expressway). The driver can take their eyes off the road, but must be ready to take control immediately when requested by the system.
- Primary Responsibility: Automation
- Monitoring: Not required (but must be ready to take over)
Level: 4
- Name: High Automation
- Brief Description: The system can drive almost autonomously within specified areas and conditions. If the system fails, the system will safely park the vehicle without human intervention.
- Primary Responsibility: Automation
- Monitoring: Not required
Level: 5
- Name: Full Automation
- Brief Description: A fully automated system capable of driving on all road and weather conditions, comparable to a human driver, or even without a steering wheel at all.
- Primary Responsibility: Automation
- Monitoring: Not required
What level of self-driving cars will you see in 2025?
Based on current technology developments (as of 2025), the levels of self-driving cars you are likely to see widely on the road are Level 2 and Level 3 (in some countries and conditions):
1. Level 2 (Partial Automation): The most widely available system.
Most cars sold today and in the near future by 2025, especially premium cars and most electric cars, will be equipped with this level of automation:
- Practical Applications: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that combine Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist (e.g., Tesla Autopilot, Volvo Pilot Assist, systems found in many Chinese cars).
- Limitations: The driver must remain alert and on the wheel at all times. The system is merely an assistant, but the responsibility remains 100% with the human.
2. Level 3 (Conditional Automation): The tipping point towards true autonomous driving.
Level 3 is the stage where technology is entering practical use, shifting the responsibility for driving from the human to the system. Under specified conditions:
- Status by 2025: Leading manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz (Drive Pilot) and BMW (Personal Pilot L3) have already received approval for Level 3 systems in some parts of the world (e.g., Germany and some US states).
- Practical Use: The system allows the driver to temporarily take their eyes off the road (e.g., watch a movie or listen to music) while driving in traffic jams on highways or in designated zones. However, the system will alert the driver to retake control if the system is unable to handle the situation.
- Limitations: Practical use is still limited by safety laws and often limits speed and area of use.
3. Level 4 (High Automation): For specific areas.
Level 4 will largely remain in the form of commercial services in limited areas (Robo-Taxi) or industrial sectors by 2025, such as:
- Driverless taxis (Waymo, Cruise): Available in some US cities (e.g., San Francisco, Phoenix), where the system can drive itself without a human driver. However, it is limited to authorized areas only.
Summary:
By 2025, most cars you buy and drive yourself will come with Level 2 systems, which are easy to use and significantly reduce the burden on drivers, but still require constant monitoring. Level 3 systems will initially reach a limited consumer market and be deployed in limited areas, with premium brands leading the charge. Level 4 and Level 5 are still in the testing and commercialization stages, with limited scope.
Key Technologies:
- Autonomous Driving, Autonomous Driving, SAELevel, AI Technology
Classification:
- DC Fast Charge, AC Charger, Home Charging, EV Charging System
Practical Applications:
- Level 3, Partial Automation, Full Automation, ADAS
Broad Topics:
- Future Vehicles, EV Technology, Automotive Innovation
Autonomous Driving, Autonomous Driving, SAELevel, Level 3, Future Vehicles, Partial Automation
This image is: Overview of the 6 Levels of Autonomy (SAE Levels 0-5). This image shows a table or diagram that summarizes the differences between each level of autonomy (Levels 0-5), focusing on the roles of the driver and system, and the usage scenarios, to provide an overview of all 6 levels.
