{"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. \nWe 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.\"\nWhether you're new to the field or a seasoned AV professional, this episode will sharpen how you talk and think about vehicle automation.\nWhat you'll learn:\nThe correct definition of each SAE level of automation (1–5)\nWhy the levels apply to features, not vehicles\nWhat the Operational Design Domain (ODD) is and why it matters as much as the level number\nWhy Level 2+ is not a real standard — and what it actually means\nWhere Tesla really sits in the automation spectrum\nWhy Level 5 was defined but is considered practically unachievable\nThe difference between \"autonomous\" and \"automated\" — and why it matters\nGuest: 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.\nAbout 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.\nExplore our AV...","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}