There are only four cars in the world that have level 3 autonomous driving and have been approved to drive in “hands-free” mode in certain environments.

With level 3 autonomous driving drivers can take their hands off the steering wheel and their feet off the pedals and perform other tasks while the car is moving, such as watching a movie; You just need to be alert to intervene if the system prompts you to do so in a risky situation. hand in hand windshield We review cars that allow it.

Only four cars already have this technology and has been approved by the competent authorities of several countries for distribution in “hands-free” mode in certain environments. But, according to reports from employers ANFACthe brand has the capacity to achieve a level of autonomous driving beyond what is currently permitted. 23% of the models offered in Spain include the necessary technology to function with third-level autonomybut disabled waiting to be used, because The Traffic Act does not allow models with levels three or higher in circulation.

The third is Li Auto, whose model is Li L9 with AD Max autonomous driving technology, It was already legalized in 2022 in the Chinese city of Shenzhen for hands-free driving behind the wheel and without the driver having to pay attention to the road.

There are two other cars that allow hands-free driving, but require the driver to pay attention to the road. The new BMW 5 Series has a Driving Assist system Professional, which allows driving up to 130 km/h on the same type of road hands-free in Germany, the United States and Canada. But, strictly speaking, this is not level 3 of autonomous driving, but “2.5”. Difference? In this model, the driver cannot completely ignore driving and look away from the road to perform other tasks, as the interior camera system monitors his behavior and issues a warning if he takes his eyes off the road. This is a case similar to Ford with ‘Ford BlueCruise’ technology, used in the United States and Canada; and has been approved for use in the United Kingdom. This system allows driving without holding the steering wheel at speeds of up to 130 km/h, but the driver cannot completely ignore it.