{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Urban Innovate TALKS","title":"#8 The SAE Levels of Automation Explained w/ Steve Shladover","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3144,"description":"The SAE levels of automation are the industry's shared language for self-driving technology — but most people, including many professionals, misuse them. In this episode, Dr. Henriette Cornet sits down with Dr. Steve Shladover, one of the world's foremost experts on vehicle automation and a key contributor to the SAE J3016 standard itself, to set the record straight. We break down all five levels of driving automation — what they actually mean, where the boundaries are, and why terms like \"Level 2+\" and \"Full Self-Driving\" are more marketing than reality. Steve also explains why Level 3 is a difficult bet, why trucking may be the most compelling Level 4 application, and why you should never say \"autonomous\" when you mean \"automated.\"Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned AV professional, this episode will sharpen how you talk and think about vehicle automation.What you'll learn:The correct definition of each SAE level of automation (1–5)Why the levels apply to features, not vehiclesWhat the Operational Design Domain (ODD) is and why it matters as much as the level numberWhy Level 2+ is not a real standard — and what it actually meansWhere Tesla really sits in the automation spectrumWhy Level 5 was defined but is considered practically unachievableThe difference between \"autonomous\" and \"automated\" — and why it mattersGuest: Steve Shladover is a research engineer at the University of California, Berkeley, and one of the longest-serving researchers in vehicle automation. He has contributed to both SAE and ISO standards, co-chaired the Transportation Research Board's automated driving workshops, and advises California regulators on AV policy.About Urban Innovate Talks: Hosted by Dr. Henriette Cornet, founder of Urban Innovate — an advisory, training, and research firm specializing in autonomous vehicles and sustainable urban mobility. Each episode brings you direct access to the experts shaping the future of how cities move.Explore our AV training programs...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/ucUo0ol3s0DHG-E2hZOIML0aXgVCVVgT0ANb9EQY4C4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80YWQ0/NmYwMWM1ZTZiMGRk/NjljNjM0NDJlNDUx/YzliNi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}