Mercedes-Benz has achieved a landmark breakthrough, becoming the world’s first automaker to secure approvals for specialized exterior marker lights designed for automated driving. These innovative lights, featuring a distinct turquoise hue, have been granted permits for testing and deployment in California and Nevada, signaling a significant step forward in the evolution of autonomous vehicle technology and Mercedes-Benz lights innovation. This pioneering initiative underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to enhancing road safety and public acceptance of automated driving systems, solidifying their position at the forefront of automotive innovation.
The permits issued by California and Nevada mark a crucial milestone, allowing Mercedes-Benz to gather invaluable real-world data on how automated vehicles interact with other road users. The distinctive turquoise Mercedes Benz Lights serve as a clear visual indicator of the vehicle’s automated driving status, a feature poised to boost public confidence in this emerging technology. This visual cue is particularly beneficial for law enforcement and traffic officers, enabling them to readily ascertain when the automated system is engaged and whether drivers are permitted to engage in secondary activities during their conditionally automated journeys. Developed in accordance with the SAE J3134 Recommended Practice, these turquoise marker lights are strategically integrated into the front and rear mercedes benz lights clusters, as well as the side mirrors of Mercedes-Benz test vehicles operating in California.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “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.” This statement highlights Mercedes-Benz’s proactive approach to addressing the evolving needs of autonomous driving and their dedication to pioneering mercedes benz lights technology.
DRIVE PILOT: Illuminating the Future of Automation with Mercedes Benz Lights
The initial application of these groundbreaking mercedes benz lights will be within Mercedes-Benz’s DRIVE PILOT system. DRIVE PILOT stands as the world’s first SAE-Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving to receive internationally valid type approval. Having achieved certification in Germany in 2021, and subsequently in Nevada and California in 2023, DRIVE PILOT is already setting benchmarks in the autonomous driving sector. While DRIVE PILOT has been available for order in Germany since 2022, the recent debut of production-ready vehicles equipped with this system on Californian and Nevadan freeways marks its highly anticipated arrival in the U.S. market. The integration of turquoise mercedes benz lights further refines the DRIVE PILOT experience, providing an additional layer of clarity and communication for all road users.
The Science of Turquoise: Why Mercedes Benz Chose This Unique Light Color
The selection of turquoise for these marker lights was a deliberate and scientifically informed decision by Mercedes-Benz. Two key factors underpinned this choice: visibility and differentiation. Turquoise mercedes benz lights offer exceptional visibility, enabling other road users to quickly and reliably detect the automated driving status of the vehicle. Furthermore, turquoise provides a clear distinction from existing automotive lighting colors and critical traffic signals, such as red, amber, and green traffic lights, as well as the red and blue emergency lights used by emergency services. This differentiation is crucial in minimizing potential confusion and enhancing overall road safety.
Extensive test studies have consistently indicated turquoise as the optimal color for automated driving signals. Both physiological and psychological assessments have demonstrated that turquoise outperforms other colors across a wide spectrum of metrics. This research-backed approach reinforces the effectiveness of turquoise mercedes benz lights in conveying crucial information about vehicle automation. The industry-recommended practice SAE J3134 “ADS Marker Lamps” also recognizes turquoise as the designated color for indicating the activation of an automated driving system, further validating Mercedes-Benz’s informed choice. The development and approval process for this innovative lighting concept involved close collaboration among a diverse team of experts, including engineers, compliance managers, data protection specialists, and ethics experts, highlighting the comprehensive and meticulous approach taken by Mercedes-Benz.
Towards Global Harmonization: Mercedes Benz Lights Setting a New Standard
Mercedes-Benz is actively championing the standardization of turquoise as the globally recognized color for visualizing automated driving status. This commitment stems from the belief that a unified visual language will foster greater understanding and acceptance of autonomous technology worldwide. Currently, a universal regulatory framework for turquoise mercedes benz lights in production vehicles is lacking in the U.S., China, and the UN-ECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) regions. The pioneering approvals granted by California and Nevada represent a significant first step towards establishing such a global standard. Mercedes-Benz envisions a future where globally harmonized regulations for turquoise marker lights will serve as a cornerstone for enhanced safety for all road users and a catalyst for further advancements in autonomous driving technology.
About Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 18 model lines ranging from the sporty GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and the dynamic all-electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com.
