Key Findings
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) have successfully revised SAE J3016, the global international standard for autonomous driving levels. Officially published on September 20, 2026, this revision marks the first time that the standard—previously revised primarily by the United States—was led by South Korean researchers.
Technical Details
The SAE J3016 standard classifies automotive driver assistance and autonomous driving technology into six distinct stages, ranging from Level 0 to Level 5. The 2026 revision specifically focuses on the following:
- Role Definition: Clearer definitions of the mandatory roles that the driver and the automobile must perform at each stage.
- Descriptive Text: Updated language for existing autonomous driving levels to make the distinction between human and machine responsibilities more apparent.
- Terminology: Refinement of concepts and terminology to ensure a clearer understanding of the differences between the six levels.
Background and Context
The need for this reorganization arose from the proliferation of lane-keeping and speed-control functions, alongside the deployment of driverless “robotaxi services” in certain countries. Previous ambiguities in the standard led to risks where driver assistance functions were misinterpreted as “full autonomous driving,” or where the roles of the driver and the vehicle were confused.
The revision process was spearheaded by a domestic research team led by Cha Hong-gi, head of ETRI’s Intelligent Information Standards Research Lab, who worked on the project for three and a half years under the “Information, Communications and Broadcasting Standards Development Support Project.”
Significance and Outlook
Since its establishment in 2014, SAE J3016 has served as the primary benchmark for automobile manufacturers, parts suppliers, international organizations, and governments when establishing regulations and developing technology. The revised standard will now be applied globally by autonomous driving companies and institutional investors during the development of vehicle functions and the design of safety systems.
Source: https://www.mt.co.kr/index.php/en/tech/2026/10/29/2026102909515047023
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