When looking to the future of driving, autonomous vehicles are one of the most popular topics.
Despite this, there is still much confusion surrounding the five different levels of autonomy.
Though the widespread adoption of driverless cars is still decades away, the early levels of autonomy are available in novated leases today.
Level One – Driver Assistance
Level One is driver assistance, where the vehicle can operate without feet controls. This includes technology such as adaptive cruise control, that can bring the car to a stop behind another car, and autonomous emergency braking.
Level Two – Partial Automation
Partial automation or level two is where the vehicle can steer, brake, and accelerate itself. This is achieved by technology such as lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. This requires the driver to hold the wheel at 15 to 30 second intervals.
Level Three – Conditional Automation
Level three is conditional automation, requires the driver to be much less observant. While the driver is still required to sit in a driver’s seat, they only need to plug in their destination then the car will do the rest. Effectively allowing the driver to take their eyes off the road, with intervention needed only when there is a situation the car technology cannot deal with.
Level Four – High Automation
Level four is high automation, these vehicles can be driven by a human, but they don’t need to be. They can drive themselves under the right conditions but can still ask for human assistance if needed.
Level Five – Full Automation
The final level is full automation. These vehicles do not need a human onboard and can drive autonomously on any road under any conditions.
Full automation unfortunately isn’t available, however there are many models with levels one, two and even three available now! If you’re interested in novating an autonomous vehicle, talk to one of our novated leasing specialists today on 1800 501 703 or email novated@remunerator.com.au.