Cars that "talk" to each other and drive themselves are no longer science fiction and are closer to reality than we think. Help Flash explains what autonomous driving is and how the different stages of its evolution are divided.
In an ideal world, we wouldn't have traffic jams, and, most importantly for Help Flash, traffic accidents would be a thing of the past. Cars would communicate with each other, and occupants could go to work, enjoy the scenery, or simply relax, as everything would flow harmoniously.
Well, this seemingly utopian universe is closer than you think. Technological development is advancing by leaps and bounds toward autonomous driving, and for now, legal barriers and the lack of adequate regulations are holding back the application of this concept more than the "lack" of technology to put it into practice.
To distinguish the degree of evolution evident in each car model and allow the general public to understand where we are at any given time, six different levels (from 0 to 5) have been created, ranging from the almost complete absence of driving aids to a car that goes from point A to point B, without geographical restrictions and without any human intervention. In this article, Help Flash explains what the levels are and what distinguishes them.
The six levels of autonomy
Level 0 - No automation. Steering is 100% manual, as are braking and acceleration. Driving aids are virtually nonexistent. Currently, there are few examples of cars that fall into this "evolutionary" category.
Level 1 - These are milder forms of driver assistance. These are the most common functions, such as ESP, which helps maintain the car's stability in the event of danger, or cruise control. The car does a little work, but control remains entirely in the driver's hands.
Level 2 - At this level, we've already seen the combination of lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, so there's now active intervention from the driver assistance systems. Here, unlike at Level 1, cars are now able to detect information from the outside environment and incorporate it into their driving.
Level 3 - This is the phase in which the car begins to take some control over certain driving situations. Officially, this is known as "conditional" automation, in which the driver may not take control under certain conditions. This could include, for example, autonomous parking or stop-start management in traffic jams, where the car itself determines the start and stop times each time the vehicle in front moves.
At this level, the array of short- and medium-range sensors, cameras, and radars is already very significant.
Level 4 - Level 4 can now transport us (literally) to a driverless universe. However, Level 4 automation remains conditional, so vehicles will still be limited to certain locations and speeds. Some Level 4 cars will have a steering wheel and pedals, and others may have a feature where the steering wheel and pedals can be hidden at the touch of a button.
In South Korea, China, and the United States, robotaxis transport passengers along pre-established routes without drivers. In Europe, this possibility has only recently been considered. If these vehicles stray from the defined route, a driver must intervene, or if a driver fails to do so or is not present, a safety protocol is activated, immediately immobilizing the vehicle.
Level 5 - This will ultimately be the ultimate goal of all car manufacturers, who invest billions of euros in research and development to be first to market. A Level 5 autonomous vehicle is a car that can operate completely independently. Starting, all driving maneuvers, and parking are performed without human intervention.
The driver can still intervene in the driving, but only if they want. It's completely optional. According to some car manufacturers, this doesn't necessarily mean you'll never be able to drive manually. Manufacturers envision a scenario in which they will give you this option, albeit under specific conditions. Here, the scenario is reversed, and non-autonomous driving becomes the exception rather than the rule...
By adding IoT connectivity to Help Flash , we have achieved a significant advance in the field of road safety and signaling. Although activating traffic lights still requires manual intervention, the incorporation of this technology transforms this simple light into a connected and intelligent device. When activated, the Help Flash IoT light not only fulfills its traditional function of visually alerting other drivers, but also sends an automatic signal to the traffic cloud. This functionality allows the warning of a hazard or incident to be instantly shared with a wider network. In this way, Help Flash IoT improves immediate safety at the scene of an incident and contributes to a more connected and aware traffic system.
