The saga of self-driving cars. And what if we finally made it happen?

Since the installation of the first cruise control on a Chrysler Imperial in 1958, all manufacturers 

have dreamed of developing the self-driving vehicle. What if 2023 was a defining year?

The extraordinary evolution of technologies has led to significant advances in this area and regulation has long been seen as a major obstacle. On 1 September 2022, when the legislator paved the way for Level 3 autonomous cars, everyone thought that manufacturers would rush into the breach. Yet, we’re all still waiting!

Self-driving levels are coded from 0 to 5. Level 0 (the driver remains in control of the vehicle), 1 (the driver is assisted by the vehicle) and 2 (driving is partially automated). Level 3 allows you to no longer keep your eyes on the road, but to get back behind the wheel if necessary. Levels 4 and 5 are aimed at a very high automation and total automation respectively.

The new regulatory context has just celebrated its first anniversary without any of the manufacturers having announced any model or deployment of updates (because these vehicles will update like smartphones with remote implementation of new versions).

However, technically, everyone is ready: Ford has already equipped its Mustang Mach-e with a level 3 in Great Britain, BMW’s luxurious 7 Series three-box should have it in a few months, Mercedes has supplanted Tesla in the USA with its level 3 authorization (Drive Pilot can be activated on the S-Class and EQS). Tesla has even outbid everyone by announcing the mythical 4 and 5 levels for the end of the year! All the lights are green. All that’s missing is the willingness of manufacturers to roll out these versions.