APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE

An apparatus for controlling an autonomous vehicle disclosure may include a processor and a memory configured to be operatively connected to the processor and to store at least one code performed in the processor, wherein the memory may store a code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to control the autonomous vehicle to travel on the basis of a distance from a preceding vehicle in a travel lane in which the autonomous vehicle travels or a preset speed, determine a risk level of a lane change on the basis of a speed of the autonomous vehicle, a speed of a side vehicle traveling in a target lane of a lane change, and a distance between the autonomous vehicle and the side vehicle upon occurrence of a lane change request, and perform longitudinal or lateral control for the lane change on the basis of the risk level.