While driving in a self-driving car, it’s important to remember that these cars are not perfect, and they still have problems. These vehicles are often difficult to engineer and can fail to react safely in the case of a minor accident or an unusual situation. For this reason, it’s important to have a plan for how to deal with such situations.
Level 3
The Society of Automotive Engineers, or SAE, is a technical organization that has existed for 117 years. They’ve made some important changes over the years, including changing horsepower ratings from SAE gross to SAE net, and they’ve even created a committee on fuels and lubricants. The group also has a classification system for driving cars, ranging from Level 0 to Level 5. While this system is not very straightforward, it’s a useful starting point.
Level 3 cars, or self-driving cars, can drive without any human input. They’re able to drive at low speeds and in a variety of conditions, from well-lit freeways to traffic jams. While these cars aren’t yet widely available in the U.S., some automakers such as Mercedes-Benz have announced plans to sell them in California by 2022.
BMW hasn’t released details about the upcoming M5 Touring, but it’s possible the vehicle will debut with Level 3 capabilities. It’s currently expected to debut in the second half of this year in North America. BMW has also confirmed plans to upgrade its iX electric SUV with Level 3 capability.
Level 3 autonomous vehicles use artificial intelligence and driver assistance systems to drive the car. Level 3 technology allows the car to drive without a human driver present and enables the driver to engage in other activities. However, it’s important for the driver to be present and available for any emergency situations.
Super Cruise
Super Cruise works by utilizing “fusion” of sensors to create super-detailed maps. LiDAR measures distances and produces maps with an accuracy of about an inch. However, this is not a full autonomous system and requires the driver’s full attention. However, the system is capable of recognizing intersections and lane markings and alerting drivers when they’re about to cross.
Super Cruise is available on over 200,000 miles of highways in the U.S., though some stretches of highways are not compatible. When the system is available, it can be activated by pressing a button on the steering wheel. When Super Cruise is active, a light bar embedded in the steering wheel glows green. The system is safe to use and allows the driver to focus on the road ahead.
The system uses cameras, LiDar mapping, GPS information, and radar sensors to provide real-time information to the driver. It is capable of adaptive cruise control at full speed and lane centering in certain conditions. In addition, it is connected to GM’s OnStar service plan, allowing drivers to contact emergency services in the event of an accident. Initially, Super Cruise was only available on limited access freeways in the U.S. and Canada, but a recent expansion has increased that to over 200,000 miles. The technology will be updated on a regular basis to reflect any changes in road conditions.
Super Cruise will also help the driver maintain their focus by detecting fast-closing traffic. It will also automatically move over to the opposite lane to pass a slower vehicle. It will also use the front camera to keep track of traffic.