Mercedes-Benz has become the first automotive company to receive certification from the state of California to sell standard-production vehicles equipped with Level 3 conditionally automated driving. This milestone achievement means that certain Mercedes models can be driven in California without the need for constant driver-machine interaction under specific conditions.
While the driver must still be prepared to take over control if the system disengages, this approval paves the way for advanced autonomous driving capabilities.
Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot system, which offers Level 3 automation, will be available as an option on the 2024 S-Class and 2024 EQS models. Customers can expect to receive the first cars equipped with this technology in late 2023.
The Drive Pilot system made history earlier this year when it became the first Level 3 automated driving system to receive certification for use in the United States, specifically in Nevada.
The certification obtained by Mercedes-Benz in California reinforces the safety and reliability of their Drive Pilot system. It utilizes a robust vehicle architecture with redundant sensors to provide comfortable and safe conditionally automated driving.
Markus Schäfer, CTO responsible for development and procurement at Mercedes, emphasizes the significance of redundancy as a key safety approach.
While driving a 2024 S-Class or 2024 EQS equipped with Drive Pilot, drivers can enjoy the convenience of temporarily taking their hands off the steering wheel and focusing on other activities, including applications on the vehicle’s center display. This feature is available on select freeway sections with speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
However, it is crucial for the driver to remain attentive and ready to assume full control of the vehicle when necessary.
Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz aims to enhance the Drive Pilot system to operate at speeds of up to 80 mph. Collaborating with technology companies like Nvidia and Luminar, Mercedes seeks to leverage their expertise and components to further improve the capabilities of the Drive Pilot system.
Additionally, Mercedes plans to expand the availability of the system to other states within the United States and various regions worldwide.
Mercedes-Benz is the first automaker to gain California certification for selling standard-production vehicles with Level 3 conditionally automated driving. This allows certain Mercedes models to operate without driver-machine interaction under specific conditions, although the driver must remain prepared to take control if needed.
The Drive Pilot system from Mercedes-Benz will be offered as an option on the 2024 S-Class and 2024 EQS models. Customers can expect the first cars equipped with this technology to be delivered in late 2023.
This system previously earned Mercedes the distinction of being the first automaker in the United States to provide Level 3 automated driving capabilities when it received certification in Nevada earlier this year.
According to Markus Schäfer, the CTO responsible for development and procurement at Mercedes, the Drive Pilot system by Mercedes-Benz is the world’s only SAE Level 3 system with internationally recognized type approval.
It establishes new industry benchmarks and relies on a robust vehicle architecture with redundant sensors to enable comfortable and safe conditionally automated driving. The certification from the California and Nevada authorities reinforces the significance of redundancy as the right approach for ensuring safety.
For those unfamiliar with autonomous technologies, here’s what this entails. In the 2024 S-Class or 2024 EQS equipped with Drive Pilot, drivers will have the option to release their hands from the steering wheel and divert their attention from traffic to engage in other activities, such as utilizing applications on the vehicle’s center display.
This feature will be available on specific freeway segments with speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. However, it is crucial for the driver to remain prepared to assume full control of the vehicle whenever necessary.
Mercedes has plans to enhance the system, aiming to extend its functionality to speeds of up to 80 mph in the future. Collaborating with companies like Nvidia and Luminar, Mercedes benefits from their contributions in providing various components for the Drive Pilot.
Furthermore, Mercedes intends to expand the availability of the system to additional states in the United States as well as other regions globally.
Source : motor1.com