ADAS LEVELS
@ Gowthamraj Mahadevan
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What is ADAS?
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ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance
Systems.
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These are electronic systems in vehicles that use
advanced technologies to assist the driver.
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The goal is to improve safety, reduce human error,
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and make driving easier.
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Examples : Automatic emergency braking, lane-
keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.
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Why Do These Levels Matter?
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Safety: Higher levels of automation aim to reduce
human error, which is a leading cause of accidents.
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Convenience: Automated systems can make driving
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less stressful, especially in traffic or on long
journeys.
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Accessibility: Fully autonomous vehicles could
provide mobility for people who cannot drive, such
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as the elderly or disabled.
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Efficiency: Automated driving can improve traffic
flow and reduce congestion.
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Regulation: Understanding the levels helps
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governments and manufacturers set standards and
rules for safe deployment.
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The Six Levels of ADAS
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Automation
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The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines six
distinct levels of driving automation,
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from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full
automation).
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Each level represents a step forward in how much the
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vehicle can handle driving tasks on its own.
Level 0: No automation
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Level 1: Driver assistance
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Level 2: Partial driving automation
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Level 3: Conditional driving automation
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Level 4: High driving automation
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Level 5: Full driving automation
Level 0: No Automation
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The driver is fully responsible for all driving tasks at
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all times.
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The car may have warning systems, but these do not
control the vehicle.
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Examples of Level 0 features:
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Blind spot monitoring
Lane departure warning
Forward collision warning
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Parking sensors
Rear cross-traffic alert
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These features only alert the driver; they do not take
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any action.
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The driver must always be alert and in control, as
the car cannot steer, accelerate, or brake on its own
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Level 1: Driver Assistance
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The vehicle can assist with either steering or
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acceleration/braking, but not both at the same time.
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The driver must remain engaged and keep hands on
the wheel.
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Only one driving task is automated at a time.
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Common Level 1 features:
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Adaptive cruise control (maintains a set speed and
distance from the car ahead)
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Lane-keeping assist (helps keep the car within lane
markings)
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Emergency brake assist
The driver is still responsible for most driving tasks
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and must supervise the system at all times
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Level 2: Partial Automation
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The vehicle can control both steering and
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acceleration/braking simultaneously in certain
situations.
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The driver must remain attentive and ready to take
over at any moment.
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Multiple automated functions work together, such
as lane centering and adaptive cruise control.
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Hands must stay on the wheel, and eyes on the
road.
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Examples of Level 2 features:
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Highway driving assist (steers, accelerates, and
brakes on highways)
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Traffic jam assist (manages stop-and-go traffic)
Autonomous parking (with driver supervision)
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The car can handle routine driving tasks, but the
human driver is still ultimately responsible
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https://www.rambus.com/blogs/autonomous-vehicles-explained/
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Level 3: Conditional Automation
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The vehicle can manage all aspects of driving in specific
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conditions without driver supervision.
The driver can take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the
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road in certain scenarios (e.g., highway traffic jams).
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The system monitors the environment and makes real-time
decisions.
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The driver must be available to take over if the system requests.
Examples of Level 3 features:
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Traffic jam pilot (drives in slow-moving highway traffic)
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Automated lane changes (in controlled environments)
If the system encounters a situation it cannot handle (bad
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weather, complex traffic), it will alert the driver to take control.
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Level 3 is a significant step because it allows the driver to
disengage, but only under specific circumstances
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Level 4: High Automation
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The vehicle can perform all driving tasks without human
intervention, but only within certain environments or
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conditions (known as "geofencing").
No driver attention is required when the system is active in its
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operational area.
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The car can handle emergencies and bring itself to a safe stop if
needed.
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Common Level 4 use cases:
Driverless taxis in urban areas
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Autonomous shuttles on fixed routes
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Delivery vehicles in designated zones
Outside the defined area or in unusual conditions, the system
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may require human intervention or may not operate.
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Level 4 vehicles may not have steering wheels or pedals, as
human input is not needed in their operational domain
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Level 5: Autonomous Vehicle
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The vehicle is completely autonomous and can operate
anywhere, under any conditions, without human input.
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No steering wheel, pedals, or driver controls are necessary.
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The car can drive itself in all environments, including cities,
highways, rural roads, and in all weather and traffic conditions.
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Passengers are only responsible for setting a destination.
The vehicle handles all aspects of driving, from start to finish.
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Level 5 represents the ultimate goal of self-driving technology,
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but as of now, no Level 5 vehicles are commercially available
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https://www.rambus.com/blogs/autonomous-vehicles-explained/
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Key Differences Between the
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Levels
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Driver
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Who What is
Level Attention Where It Works?
Controls? Automated?
Needed?
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0 Driver Nothing Always Everywhere
One function
Driver (with
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1 (steering OR Always Everywhere
some help)
speed)
Driver (with Steering AND Limited (e.g.,
2 Always
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more help) speed highways)
Vehicle (in All driving tasks Specific
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3 some (in some Sometimes conditions (e.g.,
scenarios) scenarios) traffic jams)
Not needed Specific areas
4 Vehicle All driving tasks
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(in area) (e.g., cities)
Everything,
5 Vehicle Not needed Everywhere
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everywhere
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@ Gowthamraj Mahadevan
