The VinFast VF8 electric car, operating autonomously at high speeds amidst heavy traffic in Vietnam, has caused a stir after a video surfaced online. Specifically, a clip shows the VinFast VF8 driving on a high-speed road with no one in the driver’s seat, which was recently revealed.
In the clip, the two front seats are empty, with two individuals seated in the back row. The person in the passenger seat is filming, while the driver, seated behind the driver’s side, raises their hands twice—once to straighten the steering wheel and once to press a control button on the screen. It is unclear which road the car is on, but it appears to be a national highway with a concrete divider in the middle.
According to the clip, the vehicle gradually accelerates from over 50 km/h to 71 km/h, with other cars ahead and a truck operating in the adjacent lane. Additionally, from the information displayed on the screen, it is evident that the vehicle is utilizing the ADAS – Advanced Driver Assistance System.
The vehicle is utilizing ADAS – Advanced Driver Assistance System.
ADAS is classified as a level 2 autonomous driving system for cars. Specifically, the VF8 in the clip is equipped with features such as Emergency Lane Keeping Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control. These features enable the vehicle to automatically drive within a designated lane while adjusting speed (accelerating or decelerating) to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead.
Although ADAS is an intelligent system, using these systems still requires the driver to be seated behind the wheel to intervene when necessary. Modern vehicles are equipped with features that detect when the driver removes their hands from the steering wheel for a certain period, prompting alerts.
Moreover, driving without anyone behind the wheel is strictly prohibited in Vietnam. Only a few locations, aimed at testing autonomous vehicles, allow companies to experiment with completely driverless cars.
Previously, Vingroup had tested level 4 autonomous electric vehicles
The VinBigdata research institute, part of Vingroup, announced that it has initiated testing of level 4 autonomous electric vehicles on Hon Tre Island. The vehicle model, which accommodates 23 passengers, achieves an average speed of 20-23 km/h.
Level 4 autonomous electric vehicle testing in Khanh Hoa.
Similar to other autonomous vehicle models, this company’s experimental vehicle also employs sensor systems, Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging), and cameras to scan images and transmit data to a central computer for decision-making based on AI technology.
Before VinBigdata’s product, another level 4 autonomous electric vehicle was tested by Phenikaa Group on the Phenikaa University campus in Hanoi. This vehicle operates approximately 100 km a day at an average speed of 20 km/h, with a full charge taking 7 hours.
Both level 4 autonomous electric vehicles are primarily aimed at applications in enclosed areas such as tourist resorts, golf courses, and corporate campuses. The laws in Vietnam, as well as in most countries worldwide, do not yet permit level 4 autonomous vehicles to operate on public roads. In reality, companies have not yet resolved all issues arising from autonomous vehicles, particularly regarding safety. There have been numerous accidents attributed to faults in autonomous systems, even at lower levels. The most feasible approach that automakers are pursuing is level 2 and level 3 autonomy on public roads.
California, USA, is considered an ideal place in the world to test various levels of autonomous vehicles outside urban streets, where a dedicated policy framework has been established to attract companies researching autonomous vehicle development.
This company’s experimental vehicle also uses Lidar and camera sensor systems for image scanning.
Currently, autonomous vehicles are categorized into 5 main levels. These include:
- Level 1: The simplest level, where the driver must control the steering wheel, with minimal support technologies such as cruise control, lane-keeping assist, parking assistance…
- Level 2: At this level, the driver no longer has to worry about acceleration, braking, or steering. Technologies such as automatic braking, lane change assistance, and adaptive cruise control are present. However, the driver must remain attentive and ready to take control. This is the most common level in today’s vehicles.
- Level 3: The vehicle is more proactive, no longer limited to “assistance,” and can take initiative, such as automatic lane changes…
- Level 4: Almost fully autonomous, where the driver does not need to intervene but must still remain alert.
- Level 5: The driver does not need to pay attention to the vehicle.
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