Everything you need to know about autonomous driving

Updated on
Tudo o que precisa de saber sobre condução autónoma

Automóveis que “falam” uns com outros e que se duzem sozinhos já não são ficção scientifica y estão mais perto da realitye do que imagine. A Help Flash explains what autonomous driving is and how the different evolutionary paths are divided.

In an ideal world, we would not have traffic congestion and, more importantly for Help Flash, road accidents would be something of the past. The cars would communicate with each other and the occupants would be able to go to work, see the landscape or simply rest, so that everything would flow harmoniously.

Pois bem, this apparently utopian universe is more real than you imagine. Technological evolution is taking long steps towards autonomous driving and, at this moment, only legal barriers and the lack of adequate regulation will place work in the application of this concept of the “lack” of technology for practical purposes.

To distinguish the evolutionary grade patented in each model of automobile and to allow the general public to perceive how far we are at all times, six different levels (0 to 5) have been created, which vary in the total absence of driving aids in the automobile that goes from point A to point B, without geographical and without geographical restrictions. any human intervention. In this article, a Help Flash explains what your snow levels are and what sets you apart.

Os seis níveis de autonomia

Level 0 - There is no automation. The direction is 100% manual, as well as the work and acceleration. The driving aids are practically non-existent. At this point there will be few examples of cars that are included in this “evolutionary” landscape.

Level 1 – Only minor cases of driver assistance. Let's say that it only has the most common functions, as it helps to maintain the stability of the road in case of perigo (ESP) or the control of the cruise speed (cruise-control). The car is doing a little work, but the control is still being delivered in its entirety to the driver.

Level 2 – In this case, we have assisted with the combination of maintenance assistance in the wheel system and adaptive cruise control speed control, therefore, there has now been an active intervention in two driving assistance systems. Here, in contrast to passing level 1, cars are only able to detect information from outside, incorporating into driving.

Level 3 – This is the step in which the car begins to assume some control over driving parts and in very specific situations. Officially, it is known as "conditional" automation, in that the driver cannot assume or control under certain conditions. These may include, for example, autonomous parking or stop-start management in traffic congestion, a situation in which the car itself determines the starts and stops whenever the preceding vehicle moves.

This level, or set of sensors, cameras and short and medium range radars, is also very significant.

Level 4 - Level 4 can transport us (literally) to a universe without a driver. However, level 4 automation is still conditional, meaning vehicles will continue to be limited to certain locations and speeds. Some level 4 cars have steering wheels and pedals and others have additional functionality in that the steering wheel and pedals hide at the touch of a button.

In South Korea, China or the United States, stolen taxis are dedicated to transporting passengers on pre-established routes and without recourse to a driver. In Europe, this possibility was only assumed recently. In the event of these cars leaving the defined route, it is necessary to intervene by a driver or, if this is not the case or not present, a safety protocol must be activated that immobilizes the vehicle immediately.

Level 5 – This will be, in the final analysis, the objective of all car manufacturers, which is to invest thousands of euros in research and development to be the first to reach the market. A level 5 autonomous vehicle, a car that can operate completely independently. When starting, all driving and parking maneuvers are performed without any human intervention.

The driver continues to be able to intervene in driving, but he or she will hardly be able to stop. It's totally optional. Secondly, some car manufacturers do not necessarily mean that you will never be able to drive manually and the brands provide a scenario in which this option will be given, embora in specific conditions. Here, the reverse scenario is that non-autonomous driving becomes an exception and is not a regra...