Self-driving cars may have once been an imagined thing of the future, but with advancing technologies and systems, from radar to ADAS, autonomy is already levelling up, and level 3 vehicles and robotaxis can prove it. IDTechEx's portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports and Subscriptions covers the latest developments within the autonomy for automotives sector.
ADAS and autonomy levels
Autonomous driving encompasses multiple technologies which all work alongside each other to create a wider system. These include a network of sensors, including radar and cameras, artificial intelligence, in-cabin monitoring, navigation and communication, and vehicle controls, each with their own roles to play in both vehicle autonomy and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). ADAS made an entrance when the first levels of autonomy came about, providing technologies to keep passengers safe and being implemented in line with increasing safety standards and regulations. IDTechEx's report, "Passenger Car ADAS Market 2025-2045: Technology, Market Analysis, and Forecasts", covers the latest ADAS features.
Moving on from Level 2+, where drivers are able to remove their hands from the wheel while maintaining eyes on the road, Level 3 is the next level expected to be deployed across passenger vehicles in the coming years. Level 3 would see drivers able to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road, meaning full responsibility falls to the car, something which is proving to be a challenge with the emergence of this particular technology. IDTechEx's report, "Autonomous Driving Software and AI in Automotive 2026-2046: Technologies, Markets, Players", outlines existing and emerging autonomy levels, along with drawbacks to widespread adoption of Level 3 vehicles.
Across the world, Level 3 vehicles exist in specific regions. In California and Nevada, and in Germany, Mercedes have flagship models, with BMW also having flagship models in Germany and IDTechEx reporting that the UK could see Level 3 emergence in the near future. Robotaxis, which come under Level 4 autonomy, are already deployed within multiple states in the US, including California, Nevada Texas, Arizona, and Georgia, and in Asian cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Robotaxis can allow for passengers to be transported around busy cities by driverless vehicles, showcasing the success of recent developments in robotics and autonomy globally.
Radar ready vehicles
Radar in particular has a huge role to play in vehicle autonomy, as it enables many features of ADAS including automatic emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), and blind spot detection (BSD), which all contribute to a vehicle's ability to stop and adjust based on surrounding environments without the need for the driver's input. IDTechEx's report, "Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars", covers the growth of radar-enabled features over the past two decades and further, highlighting exponential growth in line with new vehicle models keeping up with new safety regulations and the demand for increased autonomy. AEB in particular saw steep growth between 2015 and 2018, where it more closely matched the availability of BSD, pushing vehicles further towards adopting autonomous features. AEB has largely been the main driver for long-range radar technology, while short-range radar technology is used for BSD and is still only at 40% adoption, meaning there is much more room to expand into vehicles going forward.
For more information on the autonomous vehicle sector, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports and Subscriptions for the latest research.
