autonomous driving level overview

autonomous driving levels are defined in 6 stages from 0 to 5, and the subjects of driving tasks and driving areas are set according to each level. The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) in the United States provides the standards, and in Japan the Japanese translation is published by the JSAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), a public interest incorporated association, and it is treated as the most mainstream definition of the level of autonomous driving.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has also announced levels of autonomous driving based on the standards defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers of the United States (SAE). Level 2 and level 3 are major divisions in the classification of autonomous driving levels, and the main body of operation is divided into "people" and "systems".

level 2Until ADAS(advanced driver assistance system), A function that assists some drivers will be added while still being driven by humans. level 3After that, The subject of operation will become a system, and people will be able to do things other than driving. Doing something other than driving is called a "second task," and it can be imagined that the way people spend their time in the car will change dramatically by being able to do a second task.

Regarding the classification of autonomous driving levels (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Regarding the classification of autonomous driving levels")

Autonomous autonomous driving level 0-1: Conventional car

Level 0 is “no driving automation” and the driver takes on all dynamic driving tasks. Older cars without ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) fall into this category.

Level 1 is "driving assistance", where the system performs either longitudinal or lateral vehicle motion control subtasks in a limited area. For example, this type is equipped with a function that assists either acceleration or deceleration or steering, such as adaptive cruise control that can follow the vehicle in front or lane keep control that maintains driving in the lane. In addition, a system that automatically activates the brakes when there is an obstacle in front of the car, called "collision damage mitigation brake" or so-called automatic brake, is also Level 1.

As of July 2023, due to the November 2021 revision of the law, all new domestic vehicles are required to be equipped with automatic braking. Domestic continuous production vehicles other than light trucks released before November 2021 will be required to be installed from December 2025, and light trucks from September 2027. On the other hand, it will be compulsory for imported vehicles from overseas to be installed from July 2024 on new model vehicles and from July 2026 on continued production vehicles.

Level 0 is limited to vehicles already on the market, and vehicles without ADAS are likely to gradually disappear.

Autonomous autonomous driving level 2: Hands-off is possible

Level 2 is "partial driving automation", where the system performs both longitudinal and lateral vehicle motion control subtasks in a limited area. This type is equipped with both the adaptive cruise control and lane keep control mentioned above, and assists both acceleration/deceleration and steering. It is a function that allows you to follow the preceding vehicle while maintaining the lane under specific conditions.

When this level 2 is advanced, we reach a system that allows hands-off driving. As in normal times, it must constantly monitor the surroundings, but when the conditions are met, such as when driving on a highway, it is possible to let go of the steering wheel. In Japan, Nissan was the first to put the hands-off function into practical use as “Propilot 2.0” in 2019, while Toyota and Lexus announced “Lexus Teammate” that incorporates the same function, and Subaru also announced that it would follow “EyeSight X”. . As of July 2023, almost all domestic manufacturers have vehicles equipped with Level 2 including this hands-off. There is no doubt that new models that will be released in the future will also be equipped with Level 2 systems.

In addition, the full-scale practical application of each elemental technology that leads to autonomous driving such as the use of high-precision 3D maps, the installation of LiDAR (lidar), and the driver monitoring system, is progressing as a result of the altitude level 2.

Autonomous autonomous driving level 3: Eyes off possible

Level 3 refers to “conditional driving automation”, where the system performs all dynamic driving tasks under limited conditions. To give a specific example, autonomous driving system will operate even if the driver takes his hand off the steering wheel, such as when there is a traffic jam on the highway. At that time, there is no problem even if the driver keeps his eyes off the front. However, the driver must respond quickly to the system's request for intervention when it is difficult to continue operating under the defined conditions. To explain with reference to the previous specific example, it corresponds to when you get off the highway or when traffic congestion is resolved. Although it is under limited conditions, autonomous driving starts from this level 3.

Level 3 is often called "eyes-off", which allows you to take your eyes off the driving situation, as opposed to "hands-off" at altitude level 2.

In Japan, the ban on driving has been lifted due to the enforcement of the revised Road Traffic Law, etc.

In Japan, in April 2020, the “Revised Road Traffic Law” and the “Revised Road Transport Vehicle Law” came into effect. "Automatic operation device" was officially defined by law, and level 3 driving became possible. When the autonomous driving system is activated, the driver is relieved of the obligation to monitor the surroundings of the vehicle. However, it is a condition that the system can immediately return to driving operation when there is a request for driving.

Security standards include the installation of an operating status recording device, a driver monitoring function that monitors the driver's situation, cyber security measures to prevent unauthorized access, and safe operation of the vehicle if the driver does not respond to a request to take over the driving operation. The minimum risk maneuver function to stop the car and the attachment of a sticker indicating that it is a autonomous driving car were obligated.

In addition, as a technical standard for low-speed automatic operation devices on expressways, etc., the maximum speed at which the system operates is 60 kilometers per hour, and it is necessary to maintain driving within the driving lane. For the time being, autonomous driving will operate during traffic jams on highways and other roads exclusively for automobiles. You may get the impression that it lacks practicality, but the international standards related to Level 3 have the same content, so first implement it in society under safe driving conditions and verify the accuracy of the systems of the development companies. It is expected to expand gradually.

Safety standards for automated driving devices (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "We have established safety standards for autonomous driving vehicles!")

autonomous driving level 4: at brain-off level

Level 4 refers to "advanced driving automation", in which the system takes over all dynamic driving tasks in limited areas and also responds when it is difficult to continue operation. It is a system that enables driving without a driver.

In contrast to level 2 "hands-off" and level 3 "eyes-off", the driver does not need to think about driving behavior after level 4, so it is often called "brain-off".In addition, autonomous driving level 4 has finally been lifted in Japan due to the revision of the Road Traffic Law in April 2023.

Under this revision autonomous driving autonomous driving will be permitted only when they have been approved by the public safety commission of the local government. In addition, it is necessary to meet the conditions stipulated by laws and regulations, such as being equipped with a function to stop quickly and safely if autonomous driving system causes a problem.

This revision of the law envisions autonomous driving only in depopulated areas with few people or in specific facilities, and it is still difficult to drive freely on public roads. In order for level 4 to spread to commercial vehicles, there is a high possibility that the law will be revised again.

autonomous driving level 4 commercial vehicles currently on the market in Japan and the status of demonstration tests

Currently, there are no autonomous driving level 4 commercial vehicles sold both in Japan and overseas. In Japan, we haven't heard any news about the launch, but China's Baidu has announced that it will release an EV equipped with autonomous driving level 4 in 2022. The release date was 2023, but as of July 2023, it has not yet been released.

According to the "Public-Private ITS Concept/Roadmap" formulated by the government, it aims to realize unmanned autonomous driving transportation services nationwide after 2025.

For general passenger cars, based on the realization of level 3, it is expected that level 4, which can autonomous driving from the entrance to the exit of expressways, will be commercialized after 2025. In order to realize this, in 2024, we plan to support the installation of lanes dedicated to self autonomous driving cars in the late-night hours on the expressway (Shin-Tomei Expressway Surugawan Numazu Service Area-Hamamatsu Service Area).

The logistics service responsible for delivery is also planned to be realized after 2025 in a limited area by applying the technology of autonomous driving transportation service.

 

(Source:IT Strategic Headquarters "Public-Private ITSInitiative/Roadmap")   

There are certain districts where driverless operations have started as planned. For example, the town of Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture has launched the first Level 4 autonomous driving service on public roads in Japan.
We run along a promenade of about 2 km on a fixed route.

On the other hand, if you look overseas, there are already examples of commercial taxis operating in cities.

autonomous driving Level 5: To Fully autonomous driving

Level 5 refers to "full driving automation", where the system takes over all dynamic driving tasks without any ODD configuration. In principle, it is fully autonomous driving where autonomous driving system takes on all tasks in any place and under any circumstances. For example, this "any place, any situation" is an image that the system will take over and drive on any road from the city to the mountain road, even on a thunderstorm or snow day. Even the roadmap formulated by the government does not clarify the specific timing of implementation of Level 5 autonomous driving. This applies not only to Japan, but also to the rest of the world, excluding Europe.

Although it is said to be difficult to realize with the current technology, I hope that the day will come when it will be realized due to the evolution of various sensors and AI, and the development of new methods.

autonomous driving enters a new phase

level 3, level 4Along with the social implementation of , related industries such as the growth of each market such as sensors, the spread of connected cars, and the development of new services will make further progress. Of particular interest is level 4.It is a service field that utilizes Level 4 has great potential as a solution to social issues and as a new businesshow to implement in societyFrom the perspective of becomes. China and the United States are already at this level Four Taxis equipped with this have arrived, and there are places that operate without drivers.

The mobility industry is entering a new phase with the rise of Level 4 technology. Along with the development of MaaS (Mobility as a Service), the trend of autonomous driving will continue to be a focus of attention.

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