AutoDrive Previews an Eyes-Off Utopia as Seen by Stellantis

Yahoo

21-02-2025

Stellantis previews SAE Level 3 system dubbed STLA AutoDrive, which will permit eyes-off, hands-off automated driving under some circumstances, and at speeds of up to 37 mph.
The system, which the automaker says is ready for deployment, is only permitted in certain US states now and is not guaranteed to appear soon in Jeep, Dodge, Ram, or other Stellantis models.
STLA AutoDrive is set to join a number of similar systems from Mercedes-Benz, Honda, BMW, and a few others—just one of which is offered stateside.
Stellantis has revealed its SAE Level 3 driver-assistance system, dubbed STLA AutoDrive, joining a small club of automakers and autonomous tech developers with an eyes-off, hands-off system.
And the automaker says it is ready for deployment in its vehicles.
SAE Level 3 systems differ from more limited SAE Level 2 systems in that they do not require drivers to keep their eyes on the road, allowing them to watch movies on a tablet, text, or read behind the wheel—everything short of taking a nap.
This distinguishes them from Tesla's Autopilot and FSD, which are Level 2 systems and require driver attention to the road at all times.
"Ideal for commuters in dense urban areas, STLA AutoDrive will allow drivers to temporarily engage in non-driving tasks such as watching a movie, catching up on emails, reading a book, or simply looking out the window, reclaiming valuable time," the automaker says.
Only a handful of automakers have fielded such systems, including Honda, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz—the latter being the only one to offer it in the US (albeit in just two states for now that permit them—California and parts of Nevada).
State-by-state legislation currently does not permit an automaker to offer a Level 3 system in all 50 states.
As with other SAE Level 3 systems, there are a few limitations at the moment: AutoDrive will work at speeds of up to 37 mph, but it can do so even at night and even in light rain.
This makes it more of a traffic-jam assistance feature in practice, unless your entire commute happens in 25- or 35-mph zones.
The system will also permit Level 3 operation in off-road settings in some models, Stellantis notes, hinting at Jeep's future receipt of AutoDrive, but hasn't committed to anything explicitly.
"Helping drivers make the best use of their time is a priority," said Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer. "By handling routine driving tasks, STLA AutoDrive will enhance the driving experience, making time behind the wheel more efficient and enjoyable."
The automaker says the system decides when and where it is safe and suitable for activation, and notifies the driver. Once the driver presses a physical button, STLA AutoDrive takes over, controlling speed, steering functions, and braking.
The technology suite includes an automated sensor-cleaning system, which should keep dirt and water off important surfaces on the vehicle's exterior.
The system will still operate in SAE Level 2 mode at higher speeds for now, such as on the freeway, requiring driver attention to the road and hands on the wheel.
But over time, Stellantis says the vehicle speeds appropriate for SAE Level 3 will potentially be revised upward, reaching 59 mph by its estimates as a next step in its development.
"The system is also cloud-connected, enabling continuous enhancements through over-the-air updates and real-time data integration for optimized performance," the automaker said.
This will permit its use on the freeway, at least in the jurisdictions that allow Level 3 systems.
Crucially, Stellantis does not say whether the system will recognize and react to traffic lights and stop signs, and the video demo only contemplates some kind of utopia without the usual buffet of suburban horrors and annoyances, or even intersections or roundabouts.
So despite saying that AutoDrive is "ideal for commuters in dense urban areas," the automaker's demo video does not really show any of those settings, or offer details about its operation in complex environments.
And there are still a few caveats and unknowns when it comes to the actual commercial rollout of this technology.
For starters, Stellantis hasn't mentioned whether any of its US models will receive the SAE Level 3 systems or in what timeframe, only hinting at its future availability in the new Wagoneer S EV.
Additionally, Stellantis hasn't mentioned just where it intends to offer this system, given the fragmented regulatory landscape of Level 3, raising the possibility that it could debut in Europe first and then perhaps make its way to the US.
Stellantis' comments regarding the system were not market-specific. The automaker hasn't explicitly committed to offering this system in the US, only mentioning "a smooth rollout as commercial strategies align with market demand."
The target price of such a system, whether as a one-time purchase or a subscription, remains unmentioned as well, though this is certainly an issue to be determined once everything else is in place, including the regulatory landscape.
Ultimately, the floodgates of Level 3 will only open in the US when a single federal standard is implemented, so for now Stellantis joins a group of automakers with SAE Level 3 but without a strong business case for the US market.
Should Level 3 systems with eyes-off, hands-off flexibility be permitted in all US states, or should this tech be treated with greater caution? Please comment below.