810: The Five Levels of Self-Driving Cars

Levels of Vehicle Automation Explained

The classification of vehicle automation includes five main levels, starting from level zero, which has no driving automation, to level five, which is fully autonomous. Level one involves driver assistance, where the vehicle can control either speed or steering but not both simultaneously; for example, lane assist technology can help maintain lane position. Level two represents partial automation, as seen in Tesla's marketing of Fully Self-Driving, where both speed and steering can be managed, yet the driver must remain attentive to take control if needed. Levels three and above allow for varying degrees of independence, with level three enabling the vehicle to manage systems under certain conditions while a human remains present but not engaged, paving the way for more advanced automated driving experiences.