Hyundai Launches Level 2 Autonomous Features Earlier Than Expected

July 18, 2017—Hyundai sped up its own timeline for commercialization of its Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) semi-autonomous features, according to Tech Crunch.

The HDA2 system is considered a Level 2 autonomous feature, similar to Tesla’s Autopilot. The software handles speed and stops in highway driving conditions, and also handles changing to a crossroad, entering a junction, and merging onto a main road automatically when a driver indicates their intent to do so via their turn signal.

The introduction of HDA2 will “minimize intervention by drivers,” according to Hyundai speaking to the Electronic Times. The tech “nears Level 3 on freeways” according to the company, and its introduction will help to achieve the carmaker’s goals of commercializing fully autonomous vehicles for consumers by 2022.

Hyundai had self-driving tech on display at CES, and has espoused a lightweight approach in terms of computing and sensor types in favor of detailed maps to keep costs down for consumers.