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The automotive industry invests on Ai and Adas systems to achieve "autonomous driving"
Simonluca Pini - Contributor Editor de Il Sole 24 Ore
Software, cameras, radar and connectivity: the car of the future relies on an "artificial brain" for the driving of the future
Adas, a familiar acronym in the automotive and repair industry, stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Currently, all newly registered vehicles are already equipped with some driver assistance systems, and in the future, they will change mobility as a whole. In fact, manufacturers are busy marketing cars with level 3 autonomous driving, according to the 2014 standards set by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), which includes guidelines to distinguish and identify the different levels of automation in a vehicle. To date, an advanced level 2 represents the highest level of automation on the market, with cars able to drive semi-autonomously in a variety of conditions but with the driver required to remain alert and keep the hands on the wheel. Within a few years, we will assist to an explosion of autonomous driving systems thanks to the expected regulatory changes at European level. This expansion of Adas systems will inevitably affect the maintenance and repair world. In fact, the calibration of all these on-board devices will be a necessary condition if one wants to be able to work on modern and future vehicles. This, in part, is already happening given the presence of ABS systems on just about every vehicle on the market. Working on radars, lidars, cameras and all devices connected to autonomous driving systems will become increasingly common in the near future. Considering the rising number of electric vehicles in circulation, where a large part of maintenance work will no longer be needed given the absence of an ICE unit as well as many components linked to the combustion engine, specialization on Adas devices will become even more important in order to stand out in a market that is gearing up to tackle the profound changes taking place. Going back to the systems now available, the market is witnessing a democratization of technologies and an expansion of the offers even on entry-level models. Devices such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, automatic braking for cars, pedestrians and cyclists, blind spot monitoring or detection of traffic signals or driver fatigue have become available even on the more economical models. Added to all this is a new level of safety, where Adas interface with other cars through Car to X connectivity. In short, a car is able to detect and adjust to potentially dangerous situation, for example by setting the braking force in advance thanks to a signal received from the car in front or a warning sent by a connected infrastructure in the area. In addition, these systems can help also when parking the car; some cars are quite capable of parking automatically in digitally connected parking lots.
To understand what is meant by Adas and autonomous driving levels, here are the various levels set by SAE.
1) Level 0 autonomous driving
The driver has the complete responsibility and control of the vehicle. No automation is present. Steering, speed and observation of the driving environment is entrusted exclusively to the driver. In need of assistance during dynamic situations, the driver is fully responsible for any response. Cars with systems such as lane change warning and blind spot detection are also included in this level.
2) Level 1 autonomous driving
With the first level comes driver assistance. The system in some cases controls steering and speed using information about the driving environment, with the expectation that the driver controls all remaining aspects. Steering and speed control are handled by the driver and the system, while supervision of the surroundings is solely in human hands as are all dynamic situations. On the road, this translates into a lane-keeping system that can take control of the steering wheel and the adaptive cruise control, which keeps a standard distance from the car ahead and slow down as needed.
3) Level 2 autonomous driving
Level 2 brings on board partial automation. The system can control all dynamic aspects of the car, using data on road and traffic while the driver oversees the rest. Steering and speed can be entrusted to the system, while the supervision of the surrounding environment and action in dynamic situations is always in the "hands" of the driver. With level 2, vehicles cannot drive semi-autonomously in certain conditions such as on motorways. The systems allows the drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel for a few moments but, besides being forbidden by the Highway Code, it is essential to always be in control avoiding any kind of distractions.
4) Level 3 autonomous driving
With Level 3 comes conditional automation and the system controls all dynamic aspects of driving, with the driver having to respond if and when called into action. The system can be in control of steering, speed and driving conditions, but the driver must respond in unexpected situations. In vehicles equipped with level 3, the system is able to drive the car autonomously, without the need for human intervention, on road such as motorways and expressways. This is possible once the driver, who can travel without holding the wheel but must remain alert and ready to respond, activates the system. However, current road legislations, does not allow the use of this system on roads open to the public.
5) Level 4 autonomous driving
The fourth level takes us into the realm of high automation. The system controls all dynamic aspects of the car even if the driver should not respond when asked. This translates into the system's ability to control steering, speed and the surrounding environment. It is also able to manage dynamic situations without the support of the driver. To date, no production car on the market is equipped with a level 4 system, only prototypes have been carrying out road tests.
6) Level 5 autonomous driving
The last level in the SAE classification represents complete automation. The system replaces the driver, controlling all aspects normally managed by man, starting with dynamic situations in all conditions and roads. The system therefore has total control of the vehicle.
To understand what is meant by Adas and autonomous driving levels, here are the various levels set by SAE.
1) Level 0 autonomous driving
The driver has the complete responsibility and control of the vehicle. No automation is present. Steering, speed and observation of the driving environment is entrusted exclusively to the driver. In need of assistance during dynamic situations, the driver is fully responsible for any response. Cars with systems such as lane change warning and blind spot detection are also included in this level.
2) Level 1 autonomous driving
With the first level comes driver assistance. The system in some cases controls steering and speed using information about the driving environment, with the expectation that the driver controls all remaining aspects. Steering and speed control are handled by the driver and the system, while supervision of the surroundings is solely in human hands as are all dynamic situations. On the road, this translates into a lane-keeping system that can take control of the steering wheel and the adaptive cruise control, which keeps a standard distance from the car ahead and slow down as needed.
3) Level 2 autonomous driving
Level 2 brings on board partial automation. The system can control all dynamic aspects of the car, using data on road and traffic while the driver oversees the rest. Steering and speed can be entrusted to the system, while the supervision of the surrounding environment and action in dynamic situations is always in the "hands" of the driver. With level 2, vehicles cannot drive semi-autonomously in certain conditions such as on motorways. The systems allows the drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel for a few moments but, besides being forbidden by the Highway Code, it is essential to always be in control avoiding any kind of distractions.
4) Level 3 autonomous driving
With Level 3 comes conditional automation and the system controls all dynamic aspects of driving, with the driver having to respond if and when called into action. The system can be in control of steering, speed and driving conditions, but the driver must respond in unexpected situations. In vehicles equipped with level 3, the system is able to drive the car autonomously, without the need for human intervention, on road such as motorways and expressways. This is possible once the driver, who can travel without holding the wheel but must remain alert and ready to respond, activates the system. However, current road legislations, does not allow the use of this system on roads open to the public.
5) Level 4 autonomous driving
The fourth level takes us into the realm of high automation. The system controls all dynamic aspects of the car even if the driver should not respond when asked. This translates into the system's ability to control steering, speed and the surrounding environment. It is also able to manage dynamic situations without the support of the driver. To date, no production car on the market is equipped with a level 4 system, only prototypes have been carrying out road tests.
6) Level 5 autonomous driving
The last level in the SAE classification represents complete automation. The system replaces the driver, controlling all aspects normally managed by man, starting with dynamic situations in all conditions and roads. The system therefore has total control of the vehicle.
