AutoPilot Quality
Most automakers claim to have some form of autonomous autopilot driving technology.
Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, or a combination of the two.
However, possessing these qualities does not guarantee that they function successfully.
These characteristics are typically the most crucial for autopilot functionality:
Availability
Is the system accessible on all highways or only on specific roads or freeways (that have been previously mapped, for instance)?
Does it operate on city streets and obey traffic signals?
Lane Centering Accuracy
The precision with which the car follows the lanes and maintains its center position without direct driver input is crucial for a competent autopilot system.
Sharp turns and/or turns at greater speeds are typically not handled by the majority of systems used today.
This is NOT Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), which only steers the vehicle back into its lane if it drifts.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has existed for quite some time.
It is not always simple to ensure that the vehicle can keep a safe distance and accelerate and decelerate smoothly, especially when coming to a complete stop.
Monitoring Attention
How does the system monitor attention?
Some vehicles also use cameras to ensure that the driver’s eyes are on the road, although this is less common.
Emergency and Evasive Actions
When traveling at freeway speeds, it is crucial that the autopilot system can detect and, if necessary, take evasive action.
This is likely the most challenging aspect of autopilot systems to do right.
Several unforeseen circumstances might occur in the real world.
which is one of the reasons why most systems demand the driver to maintain constant vigilance.
While we have not personally evaluated each autopilot system, we use the following criteria to evaluate their performance based on reviews and videos.
Automobiles with Autopilot Features
While there are a variety of ‘autopilot ‘-like systems currently available from automakers.
Typically, they include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA).
As previously stated, LKA by itself just nudges a vehicle back to the center of the lane; it does not maintain the center position.
