Watching a movie while driving? These models integrate level 3 autonomous driving

Many of us wonder when the day will come when autonomous driving is implemented in Spain and we have the possibility of travelling in our car while we carry out other tasks, of course, always aware of what happens around us. This is already possible in many countries around the world with the well-known “hands-free” system, also known as level 3 autonomous driving. Level 3 autonomous driving is revolutionising the automotive industry by allowing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to take control of the vehicle, responding to actions such as automatic lane changes through camera systems installed in the vehicle.

Currently, only four cars in the world have this technology and have been approved by the competent authorities of some countries to drive in “hands-free” mode in certain environments. Here we show you the models that already have these features.

The Honda Legend was the pioneer in implementing level 3 autonomous driving in March 2021. Its “Traffic Jam Pilot” technology was approved by the Japanese authorities to operate in certain environments at speeds of up to 50 km/h. This car became the first automobile equipped with this feature.

Mercedes-Benz joined the group of manufacturers with level 3 autonomous driving with its S-Class and EQS models. These vehicles received approval from the Federal Motor Transport Authority of Germany and subsequently from the state of Nevada in the United States. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS can travel on certain types of roads at speeds of up to 60 km/h under this function.

Another manufacturer that has ventured into level 3 autonomous driving is Li Auto, with its Li L9 model. This vehicle has been authorised in the Chinese city of Shenzhen to drive with hands off the steering wheel and without the driver needing to pay constant attention to the road.

In addition to these cars, there are two others that allow driving with hands off the steering wheel, but require the driver to stay alert to the road. The new BMW 5 Series, equipped with the Driving Assistant Professional system, enables this function in Germany, the United States and Canada. However, strictly speaking, this system is considered a “2.5” level of autonomous driving, since the driver cannot completely disregard driving and take their eyes off the road.

ADAS systems for autonomous driving: how do they work?

All these level 3 autonomous driving systems rely on cameras, sensors and radars strategically installed in the vehicle. The windscreen plays a crucial role by housing these components, which act as the system’s “eyes”. The cameras and sensors gather information about the vehicle’s surroundings, allowing the car’s processors to make decisions accordingly.

It is important to recalibrate these systems if we need to replace the windscreen due to any damage, since otherwise errors may occur in recognising the environment and in calculating distances and times, which can lead to accidents.

For example, the Traffic Jam Pilot system of the Honda Legend uses data from three-dimensional maps, satellite navigation, cameras, radars and Lidar sensors to determine the vehicle’s position and road conditions. With this information, the system controls acceleration, braking and steering to achieve smooth, high-quality driving. Meanwhile, the driver can enjoy activities such as watching television, browsing the internet or using the navigation system on the central screen.

It is important to note that, although these advances in autonomous driving are impressive, limitations and regulations still exist that must be taken into account. According to a report by the employers’ organisation ANFAC, 23% of the models available in Spain have the technology needed to reach level 3 autonomy, but this function is deactivated because traffic legislation does not allow driving with autonomy levels above level 2.

Image gallery Level 3 autonomous driving