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Eyes Off? Car Autonomy Faces Hurdles
23 Feb
Summary
- Level 3 autonomous driving allows drivers to take eyes off the road.
- Development costs for Level 3 systems reach $1.5 billion.
- Liability issues and consumer demand create hurdles for Level 3.
Automakers are navigating a complex path toward Level 3 autonomous driving, a system designed to let drivers briefly take their eyes off the road. Ford aims to launch this technology on affordable electric vehicles starting in 2028. This advancement sits between current Level 2 systems, which require constant driver attention, and full Level 5 autonomy.
However, the industry faces significant challenges. The development cost for Level 3 highway systems is estimated at $1.5 billion, leading some companies to reconsider their ambitions. Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis have already scaled back or shelved their Level 3 efforts due to high costs, technical difficulties, and uncertain consumer interest.
Key concerns include the difficulty of designing systems that can safely hand control back to the driver and the murky liability landscape in case of accidents. While some Chinese automakers are advancing, global players like Tesla are focusing on full autonomy rather than a Level 3 offering for personal vehicles, instead piloting robotaxi services in select U.S. cities by the first half of 2026.
