Update on SAE Levels: Status of Autonomous Driving in 2026
In 2026, Autonomous Driving technology is moving beyond experimental phases into broader practical use. SAE Levels, the international standard set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), classify autonomous driving capabilities into six levels, from Level 0 to Level 5, ranging from full human control to complete system control.
What is the latest development status in 2026? Thairath Online Here is a summary:
Level 2++ (Hands-off / Eyes-on) This is a new standard for high-end personal vehicles (such as Tesla FSD v14, Ford BlueCruise). Cars can steer and change lanes autonomously on city streets and highways, but the driver must keep their eyes on the road and be ready to steer.
Level 3 (Eyes-off / Hands-off) Becoming widespread in luxury cars (such as Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT, BMW iX3). Drivers can read or watch movies under certain conditions (for example, on highways at speeds not exceeding 95-100 km/h). The system assumes legal responsibility for safety during operation.
Level 4 (Mind-off) Limited to Robotaxis (such as Waymo, Baidu) operating within specific geofenced zones with no driver in the vehicle. Currently, Waymo provides over 1 million rides per week across multiple major cities.