Stepping Into SAE Level 3

Honda and Toyota release new advanced driver-assistance systems that help to demarcate - or blur - the differences between SAE Level 2 and Level 3 capability.

Honda and Toyota each recently announced the release of new, more-sophisticated driver-assistance systems for a special range of vehicles available in Japan starting in March 2021. Honda attracted global attention in November 2020, when it announced the Honda Legend fitted with Honda Sensing Elite would be the first vehicle ever awarded “type designation” from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for a driver-assistance system of SAE Level 3 capability.

The Legend is joined by Toyota's 2022 Mirai and Lexus LS500h equipped with Advanced Drive, a system that, according to the company, embodies its “Mobility Teammate Concept.” This is an automated driving concept unique to Toyota that “seeks to enhance communication between drivers and cars, enable them to reach out to each other for mutual assist.” Toyota made no direct statement about Advanced Drive's position in the SAE Levels of Automation hierarchy. The system does not offer the feature that Honda said elevates its Sensing Elite to Level 3 capability