Mercedes-Benz has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to secure approvals for the use of special exterior marker lights designed for automated driving systems in both California and Nevada. This pioneering initiative underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to innovation and safety as the era of self-driving cars approaches, promising to redefine the experience of Driving Mercedes Benz.
The California permit specifically allows for the testing of turquoise-colored marker lights on vehicles equipped with automated driving technology on freeways. In Nevada, the approval goes a step further, permitting the integration of these special marker lights into production vehicles, starting with the Model Year 2026 EQS and S-Class DRIVE PILOT models. This permit in Nevada will remain effective until legislative changes are enacted, signaling a forward-thinking regulatory environment in the state.
This landmark achievement is not just about technological advancement; it’s about enhancing communication and safety on roads increasingly populated by vehicles with varying levels of autonomy. The introduction of marker lights is expected to significantly boost public confidence in automated driving systems. By clearly indicating when a vehicle is in automated driving mode, these lights provide crucial information to other road users, including law enforcement, fostering a safer and more predictable traffic environment. This clarity is essential for effective traffic management and ensuring that drivers understand when they are permitted to engage in secondary activities during a conditionally automated journey. The design of these turquoise lights adheres to the SAE J3134 Recommended Practice, ensuring standardization and clarity in their application.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing, emphasizes the significance of this development: “With the development of automated driving marker lights, Mercedes-Benz is once again setting new industry standards. We are the first automaker in the world to receive such approvals in the U.S., specifically in California and Nevada. The more automated driving vehicles populate the road, the more important communication and interaction between the vehicle and the environment become.”
DRIVE PILOT: Leading the Way in Conditionally Automated Driving
The initial application of these innovative marker lights will be in Mercedes-Benz testing vehicles in California, specifically those equipped with DRIVE PILOT. DRIVE PILOT stands as the world’s first and only certified SAE-Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving with internationally recognized type approval. Achieving certification in Germany in 2021 and subsequently in Nevada and California in 2023, DRIVE PILOT exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s leadership in bringing advanced automated driving features to market. Each U.S. state requires independent certification, highlighting the rigorous standards Mercedes-Benz has met. While DRIVE PILOT has been available for order in Germany since 2022, its recent debut on Californian and Nevadan freeways in production vehicles marks a significant step towards broader availability for customers in the U.S. who are eager to experience the future of driving mercedes benz.
Why Turquoise? The Science Behind the Color Choice
The selection of turquoise as the color for these marker lights was a deliberate and scientifically informed decision. Two key factors underpinned this choice: visibility and differentiation. Turquoise light is highly visible, allowing for quick and reliable detection by other road users in various lighting conditions. Furthermore, turquoise stands out distinctly from existing vehicle lighting colors and traffic signals, such as red, yellow, and green traffic lights or the red and blue emergency lights of police and ambulances. This differentiation is crucial to minimize confusion and ensure that the marker lights are immediately recognized for their intended purpose – indicating automated driving mercedes benz.
Extensive test studies further supported the selection of turquoise. Research indicated that turquoise is perceived as the optimal color for automated driving signals across a range of physiological and psychological factors. Turquoise consistently outperformed other colors in tests related to recognition, clarity, and user perception. This scientific validation reinforces the choice of turquoise as not just a visually distinct color, but also one that promotes trust and understanding in the context of automated driving. The industry-recommended practice SAE J3134 “ADS Marker Lamps” also specifies turquoise for displaying the activation of an automated driving system, further solidifying Mercedes-Benz’s alignment with best practices and future industry standards. The development process itself was a collaborative effort, bringing together engineers, compliance managers, data protection experts, and ethics experts to ensure a holistic and responsible approach to this innovative technology.
Towards Global Standardization for Enhanced Road Safety
Mercedes-Benz is proactively advocating for the standardization of turquoise as the globally recognized color to indicate automated driving mode. This commitment to standardization aims to create a universal visual language around automated driving, fostering greater understanding and acceptance of this technology worldwide. Currently, a globally harmonized regulatory framework for turquoise marker lights in production vehicles is lacking in major regions such as the U.S., China, and the UN-ECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe). The approvals granted in California and Nevada represent a crucial first step towards establishing such a global standard. Mercedes-Benz believes that a future globally harmonized regulation for turquoise marker lights will be fundamental in enhancing safety for all road users and driving further advancements in automated driving technology, ultimately shaping the future of driving mercedes benz and beyond.
About Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, manages the distribution, marketing, and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products across the United States. MBUSA boasts the most diverse luxury vehicle lineup, featuring 18 model lines ranging from the versatile GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and the innovative all-electric Mercedes-Benz vehicles. MBUSA also oversees Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. For more in-depth information on MBUSA and its comprehensive product offerings, please visit www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com.
