Self-driving car technology is evolving. Most vehicles on the road are only partially autonomous; they have driving-assistance features that help with braking, steering, and other controls but can’t yet drive themselves.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration predicts fully automated safety features and highway autopilot on cars by 2025.
What Cars have Autonomous Driving Features?
Today, virtually all “self-driving” cars require some human operation, which is to say that drivers must be ready to take control under certain circumstances.
NHTSA and SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, recognize six levels of automation, including:
- No assistance: The driver performs all tasks.
- Driver assistance: The driver controls the vehicle but can activate some assist features.
- Partial automation: The driver is fully engaged and monitoring the car’s operation, but the vehicle can accelerate and steer.
- Conditional automation: The driver must monitor the surroundings and be ready to take control with notification.
- High Automation: The car can drive itself under certain conditions.
- Fully Automated: The car can drive itself under all conditions; driver participation may be optional.
Google’s Waymo is working toward completing a fully driverless car. According to MotorTrend, Waymo's One Robotaxis is capable of levels 3 and 4 self-driving within a geo-fenced area in four suburbs of Phoenix. They can run at night but not during dust storms or rain.
The Honda Legend Hybrid EX Honda Sensing Elite is Honda’s first production vehicle capable of Level 3 driving. The system may allow the vehicle to self-drive in certain situations, including on highways, according to some sources.
Some Tesla vehicles have a driving-assistance system call Autopilot, which can offer “traffic-aware cruise control” and “autosteer” technologies.
Self-Driving Features
Some automated-driving cars can warn the driver of danger. Others offer assistive features upon sensing danger. Some of this technology is not widely available.
- Adaptive cruise control reacts to the nearness of other vehicles, slowing the car if it is approaching another vehicle.
- Lane-keeping assist can help drivers stay in their lane and gently course-correct if the vehicle drifts too far in either direction.
- Hands-free capabilities features—some still being tested, others already released--include automatic lane changing and highway driving that allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel at times.
Contact a Self-Driving Car-Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact William Mattar, P.C. Cases involving self-driving vehicles, or vehicles with automated-driving features, can get complicated, but the car-accident attorneys at our firm know the law and can help you obtain maximum compensation. To schedule a free initial consultation, complete our online contact form or call our offices at (844) 444 - 4444.