Self-Driving Car Definitions and Systems

Self-driving car overview and terminology

A self-driving car (also called an autonomous, driverless, robotic, or robo-car) is a vehicle that can operate with reduced or no human input. The term “self-driving” does not have a single universally agreed definition and is often influenced by vendor branding. In practice, most systems rely on advanced driver-assistance technologies (ADAS) and a combination of sensors (commonly LiDAR and cameras/visual sensors), software, mapping, and supporting technologies such as GPS and artificial intelligence to drive safely within specific operating limits. Because capabilities vary widely, terminology is organized around concepts like the operational design domain (ODD), which describes where and under what conditions automation is intended to work. Definitions also distinguish between autonomy and automation: autonomy implies the system is controlled by the vehicle rather than the driver, while automation is typically function-specific and may still leave broader decision-making to the human. Standards and classifications—especially SAE International’s automation levels (0–5)—describe responsibility for driving tasks (direction/speed, monitoring, and fallback) rather than listing every possible feature. Additional terminology frameworks include Mobileye’s “eyes-on/hands-on,” “eyes-on/hands-off,” “eyes-off/hands-off,” and “no driver,” which describe driver attention and control expectations. Testing and safety discussions further depend on these definitions, since terms like “disengagement” and “autonomous” can be interpreted differently by companies and regulators, affecting how performance and reliability are reported.

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History of self-driving car development

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