Ferrari says it will limit the autonomous capabilities of its vehicles to Level 2 or Level 2+ to preserve the “emotion” of the driving experience.
This position sets it apart from many major automakers who are actively exploring how to provide their vehicles with the latest and best autonomous technology. Mercedes was the first to introduce a car with a level 3 autonomous capability, which was released in 2020 in the S-Class, but the technology will be available only in selected markets in 2021.
But Level 3 technology, which legally allows a driver to watch a movie or respond to emails while driving on certain roads, will be common for the next two to three years, as other automakers add it to their vehicles. Stellantis recently announced that it is working with French component supplier Valeo to equip several models with an updated version of the lidar system currently used by Mercedes, while the Chinese brand Jido claims that it will have a 4-tier car on sale that will take you on many trips. By 2023.
Unfortunately, for sports car brands such as Ferrari, stand-alone technology poses a much greater threat to the ethics of the “driver’s car” than even the transition from a charismatic V12 to inanimate electric motors. And now Ferrari, which now offers only simple adaptive cruise control, has said that it effectively limits the autonomous technology in its cars where there are systems from many other brands (but now higher than where their cars are located), meaning that the driver must always drive or at least pay attention Translate.
Related: Federations may find Tesla autopilot, causing more accidents than other ADAS systems
“Ferrari limits the autonomy of its vehicles to L2 / L2 + to preserve all the special emotions reserved for the driver, and the connection is provided primarily to improve the ownership experience and customer relationship,” the company said. in a statement issued as part of a larger announcement of future electrification plans.
We see why Ferrari wants to keep the driving emotion provided by its cars, but limiting the availability of such technology has the potential to limit the attractiveness of its vehicles. We can’t imagine many people wanting the SF90 to be self-driving with the Assetto Fiorano kit, but it’s foolish to think that some Chinese (or American) new Purosangue buyers won’t be surprised why they have $ 300,000. The SUV does not have the convenient technology of a third of the cost of a jeep. We predict that Ferrari will definitely give up when technology enters the mainstream, but when it takes time.
Are you still confused about what these “levels” mean? In order to better understand the possibilities of autonomous technology, the Society of Automotive Engineers has developed a system consisting of six levels from 0 to 5. Level 0 is zero assistance, and Level 5 is a fully self-propelled vehicle that can take you anywhere on its own.
Level 2 is defined as systems that provide steering and braking / acceleration support, as well as road centralization and adaptive cruise control. Level 2+ adds volume perception and AI to improve Level 2, but isn’t smart enough to get to Level 3, meaning the driver has to stay focused on the road, and Level 3 drivers can undo the Netflix box set and drink.
Do you think Ferrari is mistaken in limiting its cars to a level 2/2 + level of autonomy? Leave a comment and let us know.
