Autonomous driving

unkel

With the way technology is going, I though it might be an idea to keep a thread on autonomous driving (particularly for EVs)

There are 6 levels of autonomous driving. In my own words:

Level 0 - zero aid, driver does everything
Level 1 - one aid, either active cruise control or lane assist. Driver in full control
Level 2 - multiple aids, typically active cruise control and lane assist (and possibly self parking). Driver in full control
Level 3 - as level 2, but car can be in control at some times
Level 4 - car is in control at all times, but still needs driver to take over if needed
Level 5 - fully autonomous. No driver needed in car

Currently several EVs have Level 2 autonomous driving, the 2013 Tesla Model S (Autopilot - this is an optional extra). The 2016 Hyundai Ioniq (Active Cruise + LKAS - both are standard on all Ioniqs). The 2018 Leaf 2 (Pro Pilot - this is an optional extra)

The first car in the world with level 3 autonomous driving is the 2018 Audi A8 (not an EV) with the optional AI traffic jam pilot, which offers full control of the car in heavy traffic up to 60km/h)

When will we see the first EV with Level 3 autonomy? When will we see Level 4 autonomy in a commercially available vehicle?

Will be interesting to keep this thread open long term, to keep it updated with any new developments.

cros13

unkel wrote: »

The first car in the world with level 3 autonomous driving is the 2018 Audi A8 (not an EV) with the optional AI traffic jam pilot, which offers full control of the car in heavy traffic up to 60km/h)

When will we see the first EV with Level 3 autonomy? When will we see Level 4 autonomy in a commercially available vehicle?

My i3 has had the same level of autonomy as the A8 since 2015. Hands off steering and all.

eeguy

Your levels aren't exactly right.

Level 3 is when nearly all driving is autonomous, except for tricky bits. This is what Tesla is aiming for autopilot, where motorway driving (which is 90% or most Americans commute) is automated. They're doing a San Fran to NY autonomous run later this year apparently. Most manufacturers are choosing to skip this as people aren't paying enough attention to take control when needed. I'd say 2 -5 years away.

Level 4 is where a car drives itself. Fully hands off. It might not work on dirt roads and it might be region locked ( as people in Thailand, for instance drive differently to people in Ireland), but it'll get you where you need to go. This is the area everyone is looking at right now and what will constitute a "real" autonomous car. 5-10 years maybe?

Level 5 is full autonomous, where the car will drive itself no matter the terrain, road conditions or location. This is the holy grail. Probably decades away.

unkel

I don't think we disagree on any of those points, eeguy!

cros13 wrote: »

My i3 has had the same level of autonomy as the A8 since 2015. Hands off steering and all.

i3 is level 2 autonomous if you have the optional Connected Drive system, pretty much the same as above Teslas, the Ioniq and the Leaf 2:

"The Steering and lane control assistant represents another milestone on the path to achieving highly automated driving. Although the system is capable of driving the vehicle independently, the driver is legally required to continue driving with both hands on the wheel. If the driver does not comply with this requirement, the system sensors in the steering wheel rim will recognise this fact and warn the driver acoustically after a certain period of time"

Level 3 is actually hands-off (in certain circumstances). The only car in the world that can do that is above Audi A8 (which is not yet released). And only up to 60km/h which imho is highly disappointing. I agree with eeguy that Tesla is likely to get proper level 3 autonomous driving first.

unkel

Low tech solution to turn your level 2 car into level 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsgtVRBeGPQ

I saw a more elegant solution with dangly weights on both sides of the steering wheel earlier this year, but can't find the vid now. I would imagine there is additional tyre wear if you use the above "water bottle" method...

Edit - found it. Level 3 Ioniq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK6tQro3fGw

cros13

Yes... I can take my hands off on the i3 for up to 30 seconds before it complains.
It's not LKAS like the Ioniq, it centers itself in the lane with reference to other cars and can handle cornering.

It's also possible for the i3's system to work up to 99km/h.

It is restricted to multi-lane roads marked as such on the nav though. For instance on the N7 I can only turn the system on after the red cow luas merge.

KCross

unkel wrote: »

Low tech solution to turn your level 2 car into level 3


I saw a more elegant solution with dangly weights on both sides of the steering wheel earlier this year, but can't find the vid now. I would imagine there is additional tyre wear if you use the above "water bottle" method...

Edit - found it. Level 3 Ioniq

Whatever about the water bottle, I wouldn't like to be in a crash with two heavy metal weights flying around the cabin!

Its interesting though that the human detection system is based purely on weight on the steering wheel. I would have thought it would be more biometric based. Something like how gym equipment senses that your hands are on the heart monitor sensors.

KCross

Autonomy has a bit to go. Latest AP on display here.

Skip to around 4:45 where it goes quite close to a barrier!

The car didn't auto respond to reduced speed limits either. I would have thought that reading a clearly visible "50" sign would be built into AP 2.0 by now.


Not sure I'd be willing to spend big money on AP yet.... range anxiety is one thing but AP anxiety is a whole new level I'd rather not have to deal with!

eeguy

KCross wrote: »

Autonomy has a bit to go. Latest AP on display here.

Skip to around 4:45 where it goes quite close to a barrier!

I wouldn't mind it getting close, so long as it didn't hit!
The speed limit is a concern though. You wouldn't want to start getting a flood of tickets or pulled over.

"Sorry Officer, the car broke the limit, not me!"