"One level higher" than Tesla. What is the origin of "L3 Autopilot" in Chang 'an?

On March 5th, Changan released its brand-new coupe SUV-UNI-T. Once the new car was unveiled, it attracted countless powders with its sci-fi appearance and leapfrog performance. When everyone was still wanting more, Changan released the mass production experience of "L3-level automatic driving" through UNI-T on March 10, and broadcast the 23km road test live.

On-site picture of UNI-T road test in Chang 'an

Then in addition to the new car itself, the focus of this road test is naturally the topic of "automatic driving". In Chang 'an's words, it has set an industry benchmark in the field of autonomous driving in China. Maybe everyone is still not optimistic about smart driving, but don't throw cold water on it yet. Is it bragging or really emboldened? Let's discuss it first ?

1. What is Changan's definition of "L3 autopilot"?

There are grading standards for autonomous driving. In the past, people mainly scored according to the International Society of Automata Engineers (SAE). However, our Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has recently released the classification of automobile driving automation, which means that China will formally have its own classification standards soon.

Say first (SAE) standard. Autopilot is divided into six levels, and the first three levels (L0-L2) are actually easy to understand. At this time, the driving control right of the vehicle mainly belongs to the driver. At present, all the production cars that can be put on the road are in this range, including the well-known Tesla, whose classification is only L2. We will focus on the last three levels (L3-L5).

L3 autopilot

That is, the driving behavior is partly completed by the car, such as automatic acceleration and deceleration, steering, lane change and so on. However, the driver should be ready to take over the vehicle at any time to prevent the system from getting out of control. Changan UNI-T illustrates this point, which is one level higher than Tesla's current classification.

L4/L5 autopilot

At present, there is no mass production of L4/L5, and L4 takes over L3, that is, when the system sends a takeover request, if the passengers do not respond, the system still has the ability to automatically reach the minimum risk state. Tesla's intelligent driving strategy is to cross L3 directly to L4. As for the L5 class, the vehicle can even take over without the driver's seat.

L4 imaginary state

L5 imaginary state

As can be seen from the above introduction, L3 autopilot is actually only the first step of full autopilot, but it is a very important step to realize L4 or even L5 autopilot.

2. What level does Changan's "L3-level Autopilot" belong to in the industry?

At present, car companies have not reached the L4-L5 level. Does that mean that Chang 'an's L3 level is already the first in the industry? Actually, it's not. Is it the first in the world? L3？ Is the production model of class-assisted driving standard a new generation of Audi? A8, so in this field, Audi was the first to eat crabs.

Audi A8

The layout of other manufacturers is earlier than Chang 'an. For example, as early as last year, SAIC Roewe released a production model that can reach L3 level-Roewe Marvel Comics? x？ Pro version, GAC New Energy also launched Aion? LX, the official said that it has been able to support L3-level autopilot.

Roewe Marvel Comics? x？ agree with

In addition, many manufacturers have their own "L3 Autopilot" mass production plans, and this time point is mostly concentrated in 2020. In this way, the "L3 Autopilot" released by Changan this time seems to be nothing new.

But is this really the case? In fact, many car companies' first L3-class production cars are still pending. As for what has already appeared, except Audi, no one can directly take a production car to the actual road experience and conduct a specific technical demonstration like Changan, which is the first time in China industry, and its symbolic significance is different from that of PPT.

3. What is the actual combat effect of "L3 Autopilot" in Chang 'an?

To achieve automatic driving, various technical means are needed. For example, Tesla tends to use cameras to get information to control cars, while Audi tends to use expensive lidar, combining millimeter-wave radar, ultrasonic radar and camera technology.

So how is the automatic driving of Changan UNI-T realized? According to the official introduction, its technical perception covers three 360-degree external environment perceptions and integrates three perception systems with different physical characteristics. Among them, the front end realizes five-fold sensor redundancy, the maximum detection distance is more than 200 meters, and the measurement accuracy can reach 10 cm. Five millimeter-wave radars, six cameras and 12 ultrasonic radar are the main sensors.

4. When can Chang 'an "L3 self-driving" production car be bought? ?

UNI-T, as the first model equipped with L3 self-driving, is expected to be launched in June this year, but in the end, you can only buy a regular version, and it will not be equipped with L3. In fact, the first Audi A8 equipped with L3 autopilot function was not really delivered to consumers.

A very real problem is that L3-level autopilot can really rely on the vehicle to drive independently, but the current regulations do not allow the driver to leave the steering wheel with both hands. Even a field road test like Chang 'an needs to apply in advance to travel.

Safety is naturally the most important thing. There is a contradiction about L3 autopilot. According to the classification of SAE, L0-L2？ It is purely assisted driving. Unless the vehicle breaks down, the responsibility for safety lies with the driver. And then what? L4/L5？ The definition of "not forcing humans to operate" is more the responsibility of the machine itself.

But L3 is awkward. It needs to meet the requirements of automatic driving and the driver's readiness to take over at any time to cope with the situation that the machine can't control. Sounds a little contradictory. If something really goes wrong, is it the manufacturer's poor technology or his own slow response?

Therefore, the landing of autonomous driving requires some changes to existing laws and regulations and requires more detailed standards. The good news is that this year 2? Month? 10? About, China released the relevant plan, which mentioned that the plan is in? 2025? In 2008, the large-scale production of conditional self-driving cars was realized, and highly self-driving cars were applied to the market in specific environments. Arrive? 2035? In 2000, the standard intelligent car system in China was completed.

If everyone's previous exploration of "autonomous driving" was to cross the river by feeling the stones, then the introduction of this policy really started the competition. Changan, as the first brand in China to complete L3-level self-driving mass production experience, is undoubtedly ahead.

Write it at the end

When L3 level has not really landed, there may still be many people who are biased and distrustful, which is understandable. After all, this is a new thing that must be faced. Chang 'an dared to challenge the actual road test this time, which naturally has its confidence. Jiangge also thinks that technology is rigorous. Before there is a substantial breakthrough, no car company dares to take the risk of a semi-finished product flying on the road. Therefore, we might as well look to the future and look forward to the arrival of the "autonomous driving" era.

This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.