AV Basics

3 explainers~11 min total

Understand the core concepts of autonomous driving.

Explainers in this path

1

What Is an Autonomous Vehicle, Really?

You've seen the headlines about self-driving cars. But what actually counts as an autonomous vehicle? A clear breakdown of the technology and how it works.

4 min readRead explainer
2

The 5 Levels of Autonomy (Without the Jargon)

You've heard 'Level 2' and 'Level 4' thrown around. Here's what the SAE levels actually mean, explained in plain language you can remember.

4 min readRead explainer
3

How to Ride in an Autonomous Vehicle for the First Time

Curious what it's actually like to ride in a self-driving car? Here's what to expect on your first AV ride, from booking to arrival.

3 min readRead explainer

Key Terms

AV
Autonomous Vehicle - a vehicle capable of sensing its environment and operating without human involvement.
SAE Levels
A 0-5 scale defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers that classifies vehicle automation from no automation to full self-driving.
ADAS
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems - features like lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
Sensor Fusion
Combining data from multiple sensors (cameras, lidar, radar) to create a comprehensive view of the environment.