Autonomous Vehicle Evolution

New Industry revolution has already begun. -Industry 4.0 - Automotive Industry started to be changed as well. Autonomous Vehicles are one of the most conspicuous news for everybody. This is also exciting when we track how fast it realizes. Let us understand the steps of vehicle automation.

In the basic step, we - human- control it all. power, steering, acceleration and brakes.

Step 1:  Driver Assistance: 

This driver-assistance level means that most functions are still controlled by the driver, but a specific function (like steering or accelerating) can be done automatically by the car.  Many new cars now come equipped with sensors and advanced electronics that give drivers audible warnings when they’re crossing lanes or following too closely

Step 2: Partly Automated Vehicle

Semi-autonomous driving assistance systems, such as the Steering and Lane Control Assistant including Traffic Jam Assistant, make daily driving much easier. They can brake automatically, accelerate and, unlike level 1, take over steering. at least one driver assistance system of both steering and acceleration/ deceleration using information about the driving environment is automated, like cruise control and lane-centering. It means that the "driver is disengaged from physically operating the vehicle by having his or her hands off the steering wheel AND foot off pedal at the same time. But drivers are always ready to take the control. 

Step 3: Highly Automated Vehicle

In this step, we are still in the game. Anytime needed, we can intervene for driving. We still need to monitor the car and way of driving. This step give drivers more freedom to completely turn their attention away from the road under certain conditions. Drivers will be able to hand over complete control to the car system. With highly automated systems, the car will be able to drive autonomously over long distances in certain traffic situations, such as on motorways. The driver, however, must be able to take over control within a few seconds, such as at road construction sites.

Step 4: Fully Automated Vehicle

Human driver can still request control, and the car still has a cockpit. In step 4, the car can handle the majority of driving situations independently. The technology in step 4 is developed to the point that a car can handle highly complex urban driving situations, such as the sudden appearance of construction sites, without any driver intervention. The driver, however, must remain fit to drive and capable of taking over control if needed, yet the driver would be able to sleep temporarily. If the driver ignores a warning alarm, the car has the authority to move into safe conditions, for example by pulling over. While level 4 still requires the presence of a driver, cars won’t need drivers at all in the next, final level of autonomous driving.

Hence it does not cover every driving scenario

Step 5: Full Automation- No need for a driver

Unlike levels 3 and 4, the “Full Automation” of level 5 is where true autonomous driving becomes a reality: Drivers don’t need to be fit to drive and don’t even need to have a license. The car performs any and all driving tasks – there isn’t even a cockpit. Everyone in the car is a passenger. Cars at this level will clearly need to meet stringent safety demands, and will only drive at relatively low speeds within populated areas. They are also able to drive on highways but initially, they will only be used in defined areas of city centres.

This refers to a fully-autonomous system that expects the vehicle's performance to equal that of a human driver, in every driving scenario—including extreme environments like dirt roads that are unlikely to be navigated by driverless vehicles in the near future. 

Source: 
1. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/autonomous-driving-levels-0-to-5-understanding-the-differences/
2. https://www.bmw.com/en/automotive-life/autonomous-driving.html
3. https://www.wired.com/brandlab/2016/03/a-brief-history-of-autonomous-vehicle-technology/