Vehicular automation is the use of technology to assist or replace the operator of a vehicle such as a car, truck, aircraft, rocket, military vehicle, or boat.[2][3][4][5][6] Assisted vehicles are semi-autonomous, whereas vehicles that can travel without a human operator are autonomous.[3] The degree of autonomy may be subject to various constraints such as conditions. Autonomy is enabled by advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) of varying capacity.
Related technology includes advanced software, maps, vehicle changes, and support outside the vehicle.
Autonomy presents varying issues for road travel, air travel, and marine travel. Roads present the greatest complexity given the unpredictability of the driving environment, including diverse road designs, driving conditions, traffic, obstacles, and geographical/cultural differences.[7]
Autonomy implies that the vehicle is responsible for all perception, monitoring, and control functions.[8]