SAEniveaus

SAEniveaus, short for SAE levels of driving automation, are a standardized framework that classifies the degree of automation in road vehicles. The system was developed by SAE International and is widely used by regulators, manufacturers, and researchers to describe who is responsible for the driving task in different scenarios. The levels are defined within the J3016 standard and range from 0 to 5, with updates reflecting evolving technology and interpretations.

Level 0 indicates no automation; the human driver performs all driving tasks, though the system may provide basic warnings. Level 1, or driver assistance, involves a single automated function such as steering or acceleration/deceleration, with the driver remaining responsible. Level 2, partial automation, combines steering and speed control but requires the driver to monitor the environment and be ready to take over. Level 3, conditional automation, allows the vehicle to manage all driving tasks under certain conditions, but the driver must be prepared to intervene when the system asks. Level 4, high automation, can handle the complete driving task within a defined operating design domain without driver intervention, though it may request or require disengagement outside that domain. Level 5, full automation, denotes the vehicle capable of handling all tasks under all conditions without a human driver and without the need for traditional driving controls.

In practice, real-world deployments are most common at Level 2, with limited Level 3 functionality in controlled settings and ongoing development toward Level 4 and Level 5. The framework helps clarify capabilities but can be misused in marketing, as some systems are marketed as higher levels than their operational realities.