Mercedes-Benz is making history as the first automaker to gain U.S. state approval for deploying a SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving system. The revolutionary Mercedes Benz Drive Pilot system, which allows drivers to relinquish control to the vehicle under specific conditions, is set to debut on American roads in California and Nevada starting in late 2023. This landmark achievement marks a significant leap forward in automotive technology and reaffirms Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to innovation and safety.
The production-ready version of mercedes benz drive pilot will initially be available in a limited fleet of Level 3-equipped EQS Sedans, designated as DRIVE PILOT: First Class, in California and Nevada. Mercedes-Benz plans to expand customer availability in early 2024 with MY2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class models equipped with DRIVE PILOT, offered through participating authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers in these states. This groundbreaking system will be accessible via subscription through the U.S. Mercedes me connect store for compatible S-Class and EQS Sedan models, providing flexibility and access to this cutting-edge technology.
California and Nevada have taken the lead in regulatory approval, certifying mercedes benz drive pilot for use on major freeways within their jurisdictions. While state-by-state regulations vary, Mercedes-Benz intends to progressively extend the availability of this advanced technology to additional U.S. markets in the future, demonstrating their long-term vision for automated driving.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “DRIVE PILOT is the world’s first and only system for conditionally automated driving with internationally valid type approval. Its sophisticated system architecture, built on redundancy with diverse sensor types, is paramount for safe Level 3 and beyond automated driving. At Mercedes-Benz, safety is a core value, and responsible technology handling is our priority for customer trust and societal acceptance.”
Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, echoed this sentiment, stating, “DRIVE PILOT is a technological game changer and an incredible advancement in conditionally automated driving. This pioneering system underscores our commitment to leading in safety and technology, while giving our customers back valuable time during congested traffic.”
Understanding Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT: SAE Level 3 Conditional Automation
Mercedes benz drive pilot represents a paradigm shift in driving, classified as an SAE Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving. This means that in specific scenarios, the vehicle assumes dynamic driving tasks, freeing the driver to engage in secondary activities. Currently, mercedes benz drive pilot is designed to operate at speeds up to 40 mph on suitable freeway sections experiencing high traffic density.
Once activated, mercedes benz drive pilot takes command of speed and distance regulation, seamlessly keeping the vehicle within its lane. During these conditionally automated drives, drivers can utilize certain applications on the vehicle’s central display that are typically restricted while driving, offering a new dimension of in-car experience.
Image alt text: Detailed view of Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT sensor integration on an EQS Sedan, showcasing LiDAR, radar, and cameras essential for Level 3 automated driving.
Safety is paramount in the design of mercedes benz drive pilot. Built upon the foundation of Mercedes-Benz’s Driver Assistance Package, DRIVE PILOT incorporates additional, critical sensors for safe conditional automation. These include LiDAR, a rear window camera, microphones to detect emergency vehicle sirens, and a road wetness sensor in the wheel well. Furthermore, vehicles equipped with mercedes benz drive pilot feature redundant steering and braking actuators, along with a redundant on-board electrical system. These redundancies are crucial for maintaining vehicle maneuverability and ensuring a safe transition back to driver control if necessary.
The activation of mercedes benz drive pilot will be facilitated through the U.S. Mercedes me connect store, starting at a price of $2,500, with further subscription options to be announced. This activation model ensures that customers are fully informed about the system’s capabilities at the point of Level 3 activation. The subscription-based approach also offers flexibility, allowing customers to tailor their access to mercedes benz drive pilot based on their individual needs and location, particularly considering the evolving availability of Level 3 enabled freeways.
High-Precision Positioning: The Technology Powering DRIVE PILOT
The accuracy of mercedes benz drive pilot hinges on a highly sophisticated positioning system, far exceeding the capabilities of conventional GPS. This system achieves positioning accuracy within inches. Complementing anonymized data from LiDAR, cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors is a digital HD map providing a comprehensive three-dimensional representation of the road and its surroundings.
Image alt text: Illustration of Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT using a high-definition digital map to navigate and perceive road conditions for automated driving functions.
This HD map contains detailed information on road geometry, route characteristics, traffic signs, and dynamic traffic events such as accidents or construction zones. The map data is continuously updated and stored in backend data centers, with each vehicle also maintaining a local copy that is constantly synchronized with the backend data, ensuring up-to-date and reliable information for mercedes benz drive pilot.
Future Considerations and the Road Ahead for Automated Driving
Mercedes-Benz is proactively addressing the social and ethical dimensions of automated driving. To enhance transparency and awareness, Mercedes-Benz has developed distinctive turquoise-colored Automated Driving Marker Lights (based on SAE J3134 Recommended Practice) to visually indicate when mercedes benz drive pilot is engaged. While a national regulatory framework for this technology is still developing in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz is actively engaged in discussions with state and federal agencies to facilitate the implementation of these visual indicators and further refine the mercedes benz drive pilot system architecture in accordance with evolving standards.
Mercedes-Benz is committed to ensuring that all new technologies deployed on public roads adhere to all regulatory mandates. A dedicated interdisciplinary team of experts spanning technical, legal, ethical, certification, and safety domains collaborated throughout the development process, translating traffic regulations into robust software for mercedes benz drive pilot. Mercedes-Benz is fully compliant with the NHTSA Standing General Order governing ADS-equipped vehicles, underscoring their dedication to responsible innovation and regulatory adherence.
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Atlanta, manages the distribution, marketing, and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. With a diverse portfolio ranging from the GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and the all-electric Mercedes-EQ family, Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the luxury automotive segment. More information about Mercedes-Benz USA and its offerings can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com.
About SAE Level 3: SAE Level 3 automation signifies that the automated driving function can manage certain driving tasks under specific conditions. However, the driver must remain ready to retake control when prompted by the vehicle.
Secondary Activities During DRIVE PILOT Operation: The legality of secondary activities while mercedes benz drive pilot is engaged is contingent upon respective national or state road traffic regulations.
