Here are some Level 2 autonomous driving features found in PH

Autonomous driving is all the rage in the global automotive industry. Many brands are scrambling to field their own versions and seeking ways to implement them at scale. 

Nissan, for example, has partnered up with Wayve and Uber, to develop self-driving taxis based on the LEAF electric vehicle. VinFast has also tapped Autobrains to advance its autonomous driving technologies, with testing already underway on the VF 8 and VF 9. 

But what about the Philippines? What kind of autonomous driving cars and technologies do we have right now? 

Well, for the most part, full self-driving is not yet commercially available. This, of course, is due to a variety of factors, such as the state of our roads and the chaotic nature of our traffic. Also, we can hazard a guess that policy-making has not yet caught up with these high-tech innovations. 

The market, however, does have cars with “Level 2” autonomous driving systems on offer. So what are these cars? We’ll list them down here, but before that, let’s define what Level 2 autonomous driving is. 

What is Level 2 autonomous driving?

As defined by tech giants NVIDIA, Level 2 autonomous driving comes with systems that provide “steering and brake/acceleration support, as well as centering and adaptive cruise control.” Additionally, AI company Sapien says that such a system will still require a human driver to remain behind the wheel at all times and is able to take control at any time. 

In other words, the driver is still responsible for operating the car, but automated systems can step in to “assist” with slowing, accelerating, and steering the vehicle as needed.

Just for reference, full automation is level 5, while level 4 is high automation, where a driver can sit back and let the system take the wheel. On the other side of the spectrum, Level 1 are cars that feature just one automated system, like cruise control (acceleration and maintaining speed only). 

With these advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS), cars can help prevent and mitigate damage from traffic accidents.

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Toyota 

A good number of models from Toyota Motor Philippines already have Level 2 autonomous driving via the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite. The aforementioned models include the Camry, Alphard, bZ4X, Corolla Cross, and Land Cruiser 300. 

The latest among these is the Toyota bZ4X, which also comes with the most updated version of TSS. Its individual ADAS components include the following: 

• Pre-collision system
• Automatic high beams
• Adaptive high beam system
• Lane trace assist
• Lane departure alert
• Dynamic radar cruise control

BYD 

BYD Cars Philippines, under the distributorship of ACMobility, also has several nameplates capable of Level 2 autonomous driving. On the DM-i plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) lineup, these include the Tang, Sealion 6, and eMAX 9. The brand’s electric vehicle nameplate with such a capability is the Seal. 

Notably, BYD’s ADAS suite, which provides it with autonomous driving level 2, is called the DiPilot. On the BYD Tang DM-i, it consists of the following: 

• Automatic emergency braking
• Front collision warning
• Rear collision warning
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Rear cross traffic brake
• Intelligent cruise control
• Lane departure assistance
• Intelligent high beam
• Blind spot monitoring
• Door open warning
• Adaptive cruise

Per BYD, the system relies on eight radar units (four front and four rear) and a 360-degree camera. 

Subaru

Another brand with cars equipped with ADAS suites capable of Level 2 autonomous driving is Subaru. Basically, all cars that come with EyeSight 4.0 fall into this category, with examples including the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback. 

For those curious, the Subaru EyeSight 4.0 ADAS suite has the following:

• Pre-collision braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane centering control
• Lane departure prevention
• Pre-collision throttle management
• Lead vehicle start alert

The newly introduced Subaru Forester e-Boxer (hybrid) nameplate adds on to those with more high-tech features such as autonomous emergency steering, emergency driving stop system, and an expanded field of view for its cameras. 

Honda

For Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated (HCPI), most nameplates equipped with the Honda Sensing suite are classified as Level 2 autonomous driving vehicles. Some examples include the Honda CR-V, Civic, and HR-V. 

On the recently updated Honda CR-V RS e:HEV AWD, the Honda Sensing ADAS suite provides the following ADAS features: 

• Collision mitigation braking
• Adaptive cruise control with low speed follow
• Lane keeping assist
• Road departure mitigation
• Lane departure warning
• Lead car departure notification
• Automatic high beams
• Adaptive driving beam

Tesla 

Tesla’s local arm, of course, sells the Model 3 and Y nameplates, both of which are capable of Level 2 autonomous driving. Notably, the brand is yet to offer the fully functional version of full self-driving (FSD) in the local market, but it could be coming soon. In some instances, however, the Tesla cars come with automatic parking and summoning functions. 

For reference, here is the full ADAS suite of the Philippine-spec Tesla Model Y:

• Traffic-aware cruise control
• Autostreer
• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision warning
• Blind spot monitor with side collision warning
• Lane departure avoidance and warning
• Obstacle-aware acceleration
• Driver attentiveness monitor
• Sentry mode

Geely

As of this writing, Geely’s sole model capable of Level 2 autonomous driving is the EX5 all-electric crossover. The said model, however, will soon be joined by the EX5 EM-i plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). 

For the Geely EX5, its array of ADAS features includes: 

• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking
• Collision mitigation support front and rear
• Rear cross traffic alert and braking
• Lane keeping assist
• Traffic sign information
• Lane change assist
• Blind spot detection
• Emergency lane keep assist
• Doors open warning

Ford 

Ford Philippines also offers models capable of Level 2 autonomous driving via select variants of the Territory Hybrid, Everest, and Ranger. 

For the Blue Oval brand, its ADAS suite is called CoPilot 360, which on the top-spec Territory includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping aid, and front parking sensors. 

Omoda, Jaecoo

Sister brands Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines both have models in their respective lineups capable of Level 2 autonomous driving. For Omoda, it includes the E5 and C5. Jaecoo, meanwhile, has the J7 SHS and EJ6. 

Final thoughts

Those are just some of the car brands that offer vehicles equipped with Level 2 autonomous driving ADAS suites. We are sure there are many more in the market, but the ones listed above are among the most recognizable. 

So, when do you think Level 3 or even full self-driving will enter the market? 

Also read:

Nissan unveils next-gen ProPilot ahead of 2027 launch

Lotus Robotics, CaoCao Mobility pilots self-driving taxis in China

Toyota showcases self-drifting Supras at CES 2025

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