Level 1 – assisted driving: The driver is responsible, he has to stay in control of the system at all times. The technology provides support when steering or accelerating. Typical examples would be lane departure warning, cruise control or automatic distance control.
Level 2 – semi-automated driving: Here, too, the driver remains responsible and must remain in control of the system at all times. In contrast to Level 1, the technology also takes over steering and cruise control at the same time – for example when the lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control run in parallel. This also includes the overtaking assistant. Examples are Tesla Autopilot or Tesla Full Self Driving.
Level 3 – highly automated driving: From this level, the car takes control – the driver can also hand over responsibility while driving, but only in certain situations. And very important: At level 3, he must be ready to intervene again after a warning. Typical would be, for example, autonomous driving at slow speeds in traffic jams on the freeway. Example: Mercedes Drive Pilot.
Level 4 – fully automated driving: The car moves alone under defined conditions. From this level, the driver is no longer responsible. He can get in drunk and sleep in the back seat. Examples would be a robo-taxi in a certain area. Waymo in Phoenix or Cruise in San Francisco offer this, for example.
Level 5 – autonomous driving: At the highest level, the car drives autonomously at all times and everywhere, the driver bears no responsibility whatsoever.