Jason Wen
2.8 KiB
title
| title |
|---|
| Driver Responsibility & Level 2 ADAS |
Driver Responsibility & Level 2 ADAS
!!! danger "You Are Always Responsible" sunnypilot is NOT a self-driving system. You are legally and morally responsible for the vehicle at all times. No feature in sunnypilot removes or reduces your obligation to drive safely.
What is Level 2 ADAS
sunnypilot is classified as a Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) per the SAE J3016 standard for driving automation. The SAE levels define increasing degrees of automation:
| SAE Level | Name | Driver Role |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No Automation | Driver performs all tasks |
| 1 | Driver Assistance | System controls steering OR speed, not both |
| 2 | Partial Automation | System controls steering AND speed; driver must supervise |
| 3 | Conditional Automation | System handles driving in limited scenarios; driver must be ready |
| 4–5 | High/Full Automation | System handles all driving tasks in defined conditions |
sunnypilot operates at Level 2 only. It can control steering and speed simultaneously, but the human driver must remain fully engaged at all times.
What This Means
At Level 2, the system provides assistance — not autonomy. Specifically:
- The system can control steering, acceleration, and braking simultaneously
- The system cannot handle unexpected situations, edge cases, or complex scenarios reliably
- The driver is the fallback for every situation the system cannot handle
- The driver bears full legal responsibility for the vehicle's operation
Driver Obligations
As the operator of a Level 2 ADAS vehicle, you must:
- Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times
- Keep your eyes on the road and maintain situational awareness
- Be ready to intervene immediately — the system can disengage or behave unexpectedly without warning
- Follow all traffic laws — the system does not replace your judgment or legal obligations
- Never rely on the system as a substitute for attentive driving
NHTSA Guidance
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) classifies Level 2 systems as requiring full driver engagement. NHTSA's position is clear:
- Level 2 systems are driver support features, not automated driving systems
- The driver must be able to perform the complete driving task at all times
- Manufacturers and operators share responsibility for safe use of these systems
For more information, see NHTSA's guidance on automated vehicles.
Related Pages
- Safety Information — General safety guidelines and system limitations
- Prohibited Modifications — Modifications and uses that are not allowed