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Driving Automation Role Matrix

Classify the feature by who performs the dynamic driving task, who monitors the environment, who must perform fallback, and whether operation is limited to an operational

Aug 4, 20261 min readBy Dalton Anderson

Driving Automation Role Matrix

Classify the feature by who performs the dynamic driving task, who monitors the environment, who must perform fallback, and whether operation is limited to an operational design domain.

Levels 0 through 2 are driver-support roles in NHTSA's public explanation. The driver drives or supervises and remains responsible for the driving task. Automated driving systems refer to Levels 3 through 5. At Level 3 the system drives within its domain but expects a fallback-ready user when requested. At Level 4 the system performs the task and fallback within a limited domain. Level 5 describes operation across all roadway and environmental conditions that a human driver could manage.

The level does not measure general intelligence, safety, domain breadth, or product maturity.

Sources

Follow the evidence.

  1. youtu.be: NJfXqTyjSXcyoutu.be
  2. ncsl.org: enncsl.org
  3. nhtsa.gov: automated vehicles safetynhtsa.gov
  4. news.gm.com: 1210 gmnews.gm.com
  5. news.gm.com: 0204 cruisenews.gm.com
  6. nhtsa.gov: special crash investigations scinhtsa.gov
  7. nhtsa.gov: consent order cruise crash reportingnhtsa.gov
  8. waymo.com: waymo safety impact update 170mwaymo.com
  9. cpuc.ca.gov: autonomous vehicle program permits issuedcpuc.ca.gov
  10. nhtsa.gov: standing general order crash reportingnhtsa.gov
  11. nhtsa.gov: voluntary safety self assessmentnhtsa.gov
  12. dmv.ca.gov: autonomous vehiclesdmv.ca.gov
  13. nhtsa.gov: event data recordernhtsa.gov
  14. zoox.com: communityzoox.com
  15. ntsb.gov: Vehicle Automations Investigative Outcomesntsb.gov
  16. waymo.com: impactwaymo.com
  17. content.naic.org: autonomous vehiclescontent.naic.org
  18. tesla.com: fsdtesla.com
  19. nhtsa.gov: crash report sampling systemnhtsa.gov
  20. open.spotify.com: 75DDtIhd8Hazz8fhBuZgn4open.spotify.com
  21. zoox.com: zoox service updates and expansionszoox.com
  22. daltonanderson.ghost.io: the bumpy road to self driving cars whos winningdaltonanderson.ghost.io
Driving Automation Role Matrix