Special Report
Australian Market Report
Q3
Future Autonomous Vehicle Driver Study
The levels of Autonomous Vehicles
T
here are six levels of vehicle
autonomy identified by
the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE), from Level 0
(human-only control) to Level 5
(no human driver).
For tentative
buyers,
first-hand
experience
like test drives,
short-term
leasing or daily
rentals will be
crucial when
making future
purchasing
decisions.
“The industry is talking a lot about
self-driving vehicles these days,
with multiple automakers and
ride share companies throwing
their hats in the competition
to build and release the first
fully autonomous vehicle to
consumers,” said Karl Brauer,
senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.
“Much is still unknown about
fully autonomous vehicles,
including how they would react
in emergency situations, but the
lower-level options are gaining
steam, with many Americans
interested in purchasing vehicles
with Level 2 semi-autonomous
features.”
“Available today in certain
vehicles, these Level 2 features are
automated, but the driver must
be ready to take control of the
vehicle. For these consumers, the
biggest purchase barrier is market
supply.”
“For tentative buyers, first-hand
experience like test drives,
short-term leasing or daily rentals
will be crucial when making future
purchasing decisions.”
Autonomous Vehicles “Tipping Point”
The Levels of Autonomous Vehicles
Transition from human drivers to vehicle driving
Our
World
Today
HUMAN ONLY
The driver (human) controls
everything: steering, brakes,
throttle, power
Near to
Distant
Future
MODERN
VEHICLE
Most functions are still
controlled by a driver, but
some (like braking) can be
done automatically by the car
MODERN PLUS
At least 2 functions are
automated (like cruise control
& lane-centering), but the
driver must be ready to take
control of the vehicle
“Automakers will
need to address
For half of the survey respondents,
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/autonomous-driving-levels-0-to-5-understanding-the-differences/
hesitant drivers in order to be
the perception of safety and
successful.”
personal comfort with autonomous
technology diminished as the level
According to the survey, awareness
of autonomy increased. When
of the higher levels of vehicle
survey respondents were asked to
autonomy is limited, with six out
make a choice between the different
of 10 respondents admitting that
levels, Level 4 autonomy hits the
they know little or nothing about
“sweet spot” by providing all the
autonomous vehicles.
benefits of full vehicle autonomy
without stripping away the option
of driver control.
PARTIAL
AUTONOMY
Drivers are still necessary,
but are not required to
monitor the situation as with
previous levels
FULL AUTONOMY
(+ HUMAN)
FULL AUTONOMY
(NO HUMAN)
Vehicles perform all safetycritical driving functions and
monitor roadway conditions
for an entire trip, with option
for human driving
No option for human driving no steering wheel or controls
This isn’t surprising, considering
80 per cent of respondents believe
that people should always have
the option to drive themselves,
and 64 per cent prefer to be in
control of their vehicles. In fact,
most consumers (62 per cent) do
not think they will live to see a
world where all vehicles are fully
autonomous.
However, not all Americans are
hesitant about the technological
future of their automobiles.
Respondents in the tech-savvy
pre-driving Gen Z (12-15 years
old) age range are ready to get on
board with autonomy and consider
themselves the most educated
about autonomous vehicles. >
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