'Hands-Off Autonomous Driving' Responsibility Clarified... 'Level 2+' International Legislation to Be Proposed Next Month

International Autonomous Driving Regulation Body WP29 GRVA
Accelerating Establishment of Advanced Level 2+ Regulations
Setting Rules for Active Lane Change and Hands-Off Functions
Clarifying Responsibility for Advanced Technologies...Promoting Commercialization

The international community is discussing the establishment of a new international law on autonomous driving at the 'Level 2+' standard to commercialize autonomous driving technology. The core of the bill is to create new regulations by subdividing advanced autonomous driving functions. First, clear standards must be established to clarify responsibility and facilitate the introduction of new technologies.

According to a comprehensive report from our coverage on the 10th, the Autonomous Driving Subcommittee (GRVA) within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (UNECE WP29) is discussing the establishment of international regulations containing these contents. A draft of the new regulations was prepared through a special meeting in May, and the agenda is scheduled to be submitted at the 18th regular meeting to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, in January next year.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) defines the advancement of autonomous driving technology in six stages from Level 0 to Level 5. Currently, the level of autonomous driving technology in the finished vehicle industry remains at the stage transitioning from Level 2 to Level 3. The industry views this stage as a turning point in technological development. At Level 2, driving relied entirely on humans, but from Level 3, the driving control partially shifts to the system. From a regulatory perspective, Level 2 and Level 3 are worlds apart. Responsibility shifts completely from the human to the system (manufacturer).

Recently, the autonomous driving industry has been focusing on the 'Level 2+ (advanced Level 2 autonomous driving technology close to Level 3)' market, which strengthens the driver's role while introducing cutting-edge technology in new cars. In response to such industry demands, international organizations have also begun to create more detailed regulations.

[Image source=Pixabay]

WP29 is a consultative body for the establishment and revision of international automotive standards, founded in 1952. Fifty-six countries, including the United States, Germany, and Japan, participate as member states. According to WP29 standards, all member countries are considered to meet safety standards. These standards have actual legal binding force.

The core of this establishment is to clarify function-specific regulations in line with the introduction of new technologies. Specifically, regulations will be prepared for active lane changing by the vehicle (where the vehicle proposes and autonomously changes lanes first) and the 'hands off' function, where the driver takes their hands off the steering wheel while driving. The industry expects lane change-related regulations to be completed as early as 2024, and hands-off regulations after 2025.

In the existing lower-level Level 2, it was allowed for the vehicle to change lanes automatically when the driver turned on the turn signal. However, under the new regulations, cases where the vehicle first proposes a lane change and the driver grants permission, as well as cases where the vehicle proposes and completes the lane change autonomously, are included. Detailed regulations for the 'hands off' function will also be established.

Active lane changing and hands-off functions indicate that driving control has significantly shifted to the vehicle. Although generally classified as Level 2, in sections where the driver takes their hands off and the vehicle drives proactively, responsibility issues similar to Level 3 may arise. The industry has divided Level 2 as driver assistance and Level 3 as the start of autonomous driving for convenience, but the technological development process cannot be sharply divided according to levels. Ambiguous and advanced functions may emerge between Level 2 and Level 3.

For this reason, some finished vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla, despite having sufficient technological capability to provide Level 2+ functions like hands off, include caveats in their manuals such as 'the driver must always keep their hands on the steering wheel' and 'the driver must always pay attention to driving.' This means that although the technology level is sufficient, they are preparing for possible disputes over responsibility.

Now that international regulations are being established, the introduction of advanced advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) at the 'Level 2+' standard is expected to accelerate. Recently, the autonomous driving industry's technology level has risen to about 2.9, close to Level 3, but manufacturers have been reluctant to actively introduce new technologies in mass-produced new cars due to uncertainty over responsibility. An autonomous driving industry official said, "Once international standards are established, domestic legislation will also accelerate," adding, "Ultimately, as new technologies are introduced in mass-produced cars more quickly, the autonomous driving industry will also be able to secure profitability."