Automakers View L3 Autonomy As Essential

Automotive executives state that Level 3 (L3) conditional automated driving is a necessary step toward high-level autonomy rather than an optional feature. Li Wenguang, president of Yiwang Intelligent Driving, noted that L3 requires accident-free intervals of hundreds of thousands of kilometers compared to tens or hundreds for L2. Chinese technology firms and automakers are identifying Level 3 conditional autonomous driving as a necessary transition for users. Yang Zhengjun, Vice General Manager of a Chinese intelligent technology firm, noted that Level 3 autonomy provides a necessary transition for regulations and insurance systems. Industry analysis indicates a reliability gap between current driver-assistance systems and L3 autonomous driving. Level 3 conditional autonomous driving is viewed as a necessary transition period for users to move toward Level 4 full autonomy. Yang Zhengjun of China Intelligent Technology stated that L3 autonomy provides a necessary transition for users and allows time for regulatory and insurance frameworks to mature. Jing Bin, a deputy director at the State Post Bureau, stated that autonomous driving requires a controllable and independent technological foundation to ensure healthy and sustainable industry development. Li Wenguang, president of Yinhuang Intelligent Driving Products, stated that L3 conditional driving offers a reliability gap compared to L2 assistance. Current L2 systems have intervention intervals of tens to hundreds of kilometers, while L3 requires hundreds of thousands of kilometers. L4 full autonomy requirements are estimated to be ten times higher than L3.