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autonomous driving level 2 systems that provide driver assistance in passenger cars have already been widely put into practical use, but the practical use of autonomous driving level 3 systems driven by these systems is likely to be in full swing soon.
In this article, we will focus on Level 3 of autonomous driving and explain things like ``What is Level 3 of autonomous driving?'' ``What can Level 3 do with autonomous driving and its benefits?'' and explain the development trends of each automobile manufacturer.
If you have questions such as ``What is autonomous driving?'' or ``What are the levels of autonomous driving?'', we recommend reading the article below first.
What is autonomous driving level 3? Explaining the definition in Japan
autonomous driving Level 3is also called "conditional driving automation," and according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, "the system performs all dynamic driving tasks in a limited area. If it is difficult to continue operation, the system intervenes. "respond appropriately to requests, etc."
Quote: Safety technology guidelines for autonomous driving cars
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's definition of Level 3 autonomous driving is based on the standards defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the United States, making it easier to understand.
Difference between autonomous driving level 2 and autonomous driving level 3
There is a big difference between Level 2 and Level 3 autonomous driving.
The reason is that at level 2, the driver is the person who drives the vehicle, but at level 3, the driving system is the driver.
Levels up to Level 2 are classified as ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems), and the system functions solely to assist the driver. Level 2 functions include assisting with both acceleration, deceleration, and steering; specifically, it is possible to follow the vehicle in front while maintaining the lane under certain conditions, such as on highways.
However, even if the vehicle is being assisted by the system, the driver must constantly monitor the vehicle.
On the other hand, level 3 is a function in which the system performs all dynamic driving tasks under limited conditions, and the system also monitors the driving situation. This means that the driver does not need to look ahead while the system is running.
Level 3is expected to reduce the driving burden on drivers.
Difference between autonomous driving level 3 and autonomous driving level 4
In both levels 3 and 4 of autonomous driving, the system performs dynamic driving tasks within a limited area, but there are differences in how the driver responds in emergencies.
At level 3, the system may require driver intervention for driving tasks. In that case, the driver must respond promptly and drive. For example, if the situation changes from driving on an expressway to a general road in a limited area where the system can operate, or if it is determined that it is difficult to continue driving due to a system malfunction, the driver's intervention may be requested. This applies to certain cases.
On the other hand, at Level 4, even if the system determines that it is difficult to continue the driving task, the system will take appropriate action. For example, if the vehicle becomes inoperable due to poor maintenance, the system will judge the surrounding situation and stop the vehicle in a safe location, such as on the shoulder of the road.
In other words, under limited conditions, a driver is completely unnecessary.
Because of these differences, Level 3is called Eyes Off and Level 4is called Brain Off.
What you can do with autonomous driving level 3
As explained above, at level 3 autonomous driving, the system operates within a limited area. Therefore, the driver will be able to perform a second task that involves doing something other than driving. Specifically, even if you are sitting in the driver's seat, you can take your hands off the steering wheel and use your smartphone or car navigation system, or watch TV or other videos on the in-car monitor.
However, just because the system is running does not mean that you can do anything with this second task. That's because at level 3 autonomous driving, if the vehicle is no longer suitable for operation or a malfunction occurs, the driver must immediately take over driving duties.
This is the same as when driving normally, and acts that would prevent the driver from quickly taking over the driving position, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, falling asleep, or moving seats in the car, are prohibited.
However, in many cases, what is allowed and what is prohibited in this second task is not clearly delineated. For example, if you are unable to respond promptly to a driver intervention request from a level 3 system, such as wearing headphones that block outside sounds while watching a DVD in the car, it is illegal to do so. There is a possibility that
There are cases in which it is difficult to make such judgments, so drivers must be careful to respond to the requests themselves when using the Level 3 system.
Benefits of autonomous driving level 3
The benefits of the widespread use of Level 3 autonomous driving, which enables eyes-off, are huge not only for drivers but also for society as a whole. According to documents from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the expected effects of autonomous driving autonomous driving ``reducing traffic accidents,'' ``alleviating traffic congestion,'' ``maintaining local public transportation,'' ``responding to driver shortages,'' and ``alleviating traffic congestion.'' It is listed as a benefit.
Of course, autonomous driving also has benefits for drivers, such as making more effective use of driving time.
The advantages of each are explained in detail below.
Prevention and reduction of traffic accidents
One of the first expected benefits of the spread of autonomous driving is the reduction in traffic accidents. Prevention and reduction.
According to materials released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2021, there were 2,636 people killed and injured in traffic accidents in 2021, and 362,131 people were injured. ``Violations of safe driving obligations'' such as distracted driving accounted for 53.6 % of the total. Adding in drunk driving, failure to stop, overtaking violations, etc., 95 % of fatal accidents are caused by driver violations.
If all cars were to reach Level 3 autonomous driving, it would be less likely that drivers would commit violations in certain areas, which would reduce the number of fatal accidents.
Alleviation and control of traffic congestion
The next expected benefit is the alleviation and control of traffic congestion.
Traffic jams can be classified into three types: accident traffic congestion, construction traffic congestion, and natural traffic congestion. However, when it comes to the causes of traffic jams, all traffic jams are caused by inappropriate following distances and improper acceleration/deceleration.
Roads that are especially prone to natural traffic jams include uphill slopes, connections between expressways and local roads, and tunnels, which tend to cause drivers to unconsciously slow down.
However, as Level 3 autonomous driving becomes widespread, it will be possible to drive at a constant speed and maintain a stable distance between vehicles, even in areas where drivers have been unconsciously slowing down.
Congestion will not be alleviated if only one Level 3 autonomous driving vehicle is running, but if it is driven in groups, it can be expected to alleviate or control congestion.
As a supplementary explanation, according to the document released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2015, ``Basic Policy for Initiatives to Use Roads Wisely, Focusing on Expressways'', each driver wastes approximately 40 hours a year. It has been announced. This survey was from 2012, and the total population of Japan in 2015 was approximately 127 million 7,000 people, so if you consider that each person wasted 40 hours, the total population of Japan is approximately 5 billion 80 million people. You'd be wasting your time.
If level 3 autonomous driving becomes widespread, it will be possible to prevent major economic losses.
Maintaining local public transportation
One of the benefits of widespread use of Level 3 autonomous driving is the maintenance of local public transportation.
In regions where there are no trains, it is common to travel by private car or by local public bus. However, the number of users of local public buses tends to decrease due to factors such as the aging of the population, and the challenge is how to continue providing services.
Level 3 autonomous driving has the advantage of reducing the burden on the driver. If this progresses to autonomous driving level 4, it will become driverless, which will have the advantage of making it easier to continue the service in terms of costs.
Effective use of driving time
The benefits that drivers receive from level 3 autonomous driving include the effective use of the time they were previously driving.
Normally, drivers have to concentrate on driving, so they cannot look at their smartphones or talk while holding a smartphone with one hand.
However, while the system is in operation, the above actions are possible.For example, while the system is operating, there are many ways to utilize the free time, such as holding online meetings on a laptop, conducting research on a smartphone, or studying with video teaching materials. Of course, this is limited to actions that allow the system to take over driving at any time.
When will Level 3 autonomous driving become a reality?
Level 3 autonomous driving is permitted to drive on public roads under certain conditions, such as on expressways, under the Road Traffic Act revised in April 2020. In addition, with the revision of the law, it has already been put into practical use in commercially available cars, although the number is small.
However, as of November 2023, it has not yet become widely used in commercially available cars sold in Japan. Additionally, most Japanese automakers have not disclosed the schedule for installing Level 3 autonomous driving in commercial vehicles.
On the other hand, Yano Research Institute, which conducts market research and marketing, willAccording to a survey in 2018, autonomous driving level 3Vehicles equipped with this system will be installed in 2025.Approximately 40million units, 2030Approximately 625 in the yearMillion units on the market I predict that there will be.
Based on this data, it would be best to assume that level 3 autonomous driving systems will become widespread in commercially available cars purchased by general users after 2025.
List of commercially available vehicles equipped with autonomous driving level 3 systems
As of November 2023, we will introduce commercially available vehicles equipped withLevel 3 autonomous driving systems.
HONDA Legend
The only domestically produced commercial vehicle with level 3 autonomous driving that has been sold in Japan is Honda 's `` LEGEND,'' which is equipped with ` `Honda SENSING Elitet.'' This LEGEND will be the world's first commercially available car equipped with a Level 3 autonomous driving system. However, production of this LEGEND will end in January 2022 due to the closure of HONDA 's Sayama factory where it was produced. Since then, no commercial vehicle compatible with Level 3 autonomous driving has been released in Japan.
Mercedes Benz EQS
Mercedes-Benz's EQS is the only commercially available car overseas to be equipped with a Level 3 autonomous driving system. The EQS is equipped with a driving assistance system called DRIVE PILOT, which allows Level 3 driving only under conditions of 40 mph (approximately 64 km/h) or less on high-traffic sections such as expressways.
Domestic manufacturers' development trends for autonomous driving level 3
Here, we will introduce the development trends of Level 3 autonomous driving by domestic automakers Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. In addition to the three companies mentioned above, there are many other famous manufacturers in Japan such as SUBARU, MAZDA, Mitsubishi, Daihatsu, and SUZUKI, but since they have not released a concrete roadmap regarding autonomous driving technology and adaptation timing, we will introduce them this time. Omit.
Toyota's autonomous driving level 3 development trends
First of all, as of November 2023, Toyota has not released any commercial vehicles equipped with a Level 3 autonomous driving system.
Toyota had been developing autonomous driving. The company is developing technology under the name Toyota Corporation. In addition, in the Chinese market, where autonomous driving is rapidly developing, we have been collaborating with Pony.ai, which develops autonomous driving technology, since 2019.
Although the timing of commercialization has not been stated explicitly, Toyota's own media, "Toyota Times", has reported on autonomous driving test runs in China. The fact that it has been released to the public seems to indicate that the technology is being developed, and the footage shows how the vehicle recognizes the road environment, changes lanes, and overtakes in a hands-off manner.
HONDA’s autonomous driving level 3 development trends
In March 2021, HONDA launched the world's first autonomous driving level 3 system, "Honda SENSING Elite," on the "LEGEND." However, production of LEGEND will end in January 2022, and no vehicles compatible with Level 3 autonomous driving have been released since then.
HONDA will utilize the technology cultivated with LEGEND to gradually add "Honda SENSING 360", which is an advanced version of Level 2 autonomous driving that allows hands-off, from 2024 onwards.
Furthermore, the next-generation technology of Honda SENSING Elite, which is a level 3 autonomous driving system, is being developed to enable advanced autonomous driving, such as being able to drive not only on expressways but also on complex local roads.
It has been announced that these technologies equivalent to level 3 autonomous driving will be applied from around mid-2020.
Nissan's autonomous driving level 3 development trend
As of November 2023, Nissan has not released any commercial vehicles equipped with a Level 3 autonomous driving system.
Currently, the Aria and Serena are on sale equipped with``ProPILOT 2.0'', which isan advanced level 2 autonomous driving system that allows hands-off driving in some driving situations.
Nissan has advanced autonomous autonomous driving technology close to level 3 autonomous driving, but it has not made any concrete statements regarding its level 3 technology development trends or future plans.
autonomous driving Level 3 Development Trends by Overseas Manufacturers
The trend in the development of autonomous driving among foreign automakers seems to be that they are installing autonomous driving systems in commercial vehicles such as taxis and buses rather than installing them in commercial vehicles. It is also installed as an autonomous driving level 4 rather than an autonomous driving level 3, and driverless cases are increasing.
For example, in Beijing, China, Baidu and Pony.ai will begin test runs of fully driverless autonomous driving taxis in March 2023.
Additionally, in June 2022, in the United States, Waymo and GM Cruise are operating fully driverless self autonomous driving taxis in San Francisco.
Summary
The pace of evolution of autonomous driving technology is extremely fast, and the situation is changing every year. In particular, the Road Traffic Act has been revised for autonomous driving up to Level 3 and Level 4, and the public and private sectors are working together, so technology is evolving quickly.
The number of commercially available vehicles that can be equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving systems is expected to increase dramatically by 2030, so this is a must-see both domestically and internationally.
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