Stellantis STLA AutoDrive Released. Who’s Winning the Autonomous Driving Race

The global race to deploy fully autonomous vehicles is accelerating, with leading automakers rolling out advanced self-driving technology. Stellantis, the multinational automotive giant that owns Citroën, Peugeot, and Vauxhall, has announced the introduction of its STLA AutoDrive system—its first in-house developed autonomous driving technology.

The system, classified as Level 3 autonomous driving, enables drivers to take their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road under specific conditions, such as slow-moving traffic on motorways.

Meanwhile, BYD (Build Your Dreams), a prominent Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has upgraded its ‘God’s Eye’ autonomous driving functionality, making self-driving capabilities accessible across its entire vehicle lineup—including its most affordable models.

These developments mark another step toward the long-promised future of fully autonomous vehicles, but key questions remain: Which automakers are leading this charge? How much investment is being poured into this technology? And, most importantly, is self-driving technology truly safe?

"I can understand why this futuristic step could feel precarious in sliding towards a rise of the machines, allowing them to think for us rather than just 'do' for us, but autonomous EV tech has already been warmly welcomed into our driving habits with the likes of autopilot and accident detection warnings." — Michelle Breffitt, Co-founder of Women Drive Electric Facebook Group

Understanding the Levels of Autonomous Driving

Autonomous driving is not a binary concept—it is measured in five levels (excluding Level 0), which define how much control a human driver must retain.

Level 1: Assisted Driving

At this stage, the driver remains in full control, but the vehicle assists with features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. Most modern cars include this level of automation.

Level 2: Partial Automation

Vehicles equipped with Level 2 autonomy, such as Ford’s BlueCruise, can control speed, steering, and distance from other cars under specific conditions. However, drivers must remain alert and be ready to take control at any moment.

Level 3: Conditional Automation

At this level, the vehicle can handle most driving tasks under defined conditions, allowing the driver to engage in non-driving activities. For instance, Mercedes’ Drive Pilot enables users to watch a movie or read a book while the car steers, brakes, and accelerates on highways at speeds below 40 mph. However, human intervention is still required in unpredictable situations.

Level 4: High Automation

Vehicles operating at Level 4 automation can navigate most journeys without human input. This is the first stage where the driver is not responsible for accidents or traffic offenses. Level 4 technology is primarily used in autonomous shuttles and robotaxis, though it remains in limited deployment.

Level 5: Full Automation

The ultimate goal—completely self-driving vehicles with no need for human intervention. These vehicles will lack steering wheels and pedals, functioning as fully autonomous transport solutions. Despite advancements, no commercially available Level 5 vehicles exist today.

"The UK's Autonomous Vehicles (AV) Act, passed in May 2024, paves the way for self-driving vehicles on British roads as early as 2026."

Which Automakers Are Leading the Autonomous Race?

While nearly all automakers incorporate driver-assistance technologies, only a few have pushed toward higher levels of autonomy.

Ford

Ford’s BlueCruise became the first hands-free driving system approved in the UK, launching on the Mustang Mach-E in April 2023. It enables partial automation (Level 2), allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel but requiring continuous attention to the road.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes was the first automaker to achieve government approval for Level 3 automation. Its Drive Pilot system, available on the S-Class and EQS models, allows drivers in Germany and select U.S. states to engage in eyes-off driving up to 40 mph.

BMW

In 2024, BMW became the first carmaker to integrate both Level 2 and Level 3 systems within the same model—the BMW 7 Series. Its Highway Assistant (Level 2) and Personal Pilot L3 (Level 3) allow drivers to experience autonomous driving on motorways at speeds up to 37 mph.

Volkswagen & Toyota

Both companies are making massive investments in autonomous technology. Volkswagen has poured $2.3 billion into Beijing robotics firm Horizon, while Toyota has pledged £2.2 billion to advance self-driving software.

Is Autonomous Driving Safe?

Despite technological advancements, public skepticism remains a significant hurdle. A 2023 survey by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers found that:

• 70% of people feel uncomfortable riding in a fully autonomous car
• 30% worry about accident scenarios and how self-driving systems will respond

However, research indicates that autonomous vehicles may already be safer than human drivers in some situations:

University of Central Florida Study (2024)

An analysis of California traffic data from 2016 to 2022 compared 2,100 autonomous vehicles with 35,113 human-driven vehicles. The study found:

✔ Autonomous vehicles had lower accident rates in work zones, traffic congestion, and pre-accident maneuvers
❌ Autonomous vehicles struggled in low-light conditions, particularly at dawn or dusk on curvy roads

U.S. Ride-Hailing Studies

In real-world ride-hailing applications, autonomous taxis have demonstrated strong safety performance.

• Waymo and Cruise (GM’s autonomous taxi division) reported fewer crashes per mile than human-operated ride-hailing vehicles.
• Cruise’s safety study, conducted with the University of Michigan, analyzed 5.6 million miles of ride-hailing data and found its vehicles had 65% fewer collisions than traditional taxis.

"National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows human error accounts for 94%–96% of all road accidents, underscoring the potential for self-driving technology to reduce crashes."

UK Regulations and the Road to 2026

The UK government has taken major legislative steps toward enabling self-driving cars. The Autonomous Vehicles (AV) Act, passed on May 20, 2024, creates a framework for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles by 2026.

Key Provisions of the AV Act

• Self-driving vehicles must pass a safety test proving they are as capable as human drivers
• Establishes legal liability for autonomous driving crashes
• Lays the foundation for insurance and regulatory oversight

Currently, only a handful of Level 3 vehicles are available in the UK, including:
✔ Nissan Ariya (ProPilot system)
✔ Mercedes EQS & S-Class (Drive Pilot)
✔ BMW 7 Series (Personal Pilot L3)

With legal frameworks in place and automakers investing billions, the next two years will determine whether self-driving cars can truly deliver on their promise of safety, convenience, and efficiency.