Mercedes-Benz has officially announced a groundbreaking achievement, becoming the first automaker to secure state approval in the United States for deployment of a SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving system. This pioneering technology, known as DRIVE PILOT, marks a significant leap forward in the realm of Self Driving Car Benz, offering drivers a taste of future mobility on select stretches of American highways. Set to debut in California and Nevada by late 2023, DRIVE PILOT will initially grace a limited fleet of EQS Sedans, paving the way for broader availability in early 2024 with MY2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class models.
This landmark achievement underscores Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering commitment to innovation and its position at the forefront of automated driving technology. California and Nevada have emerged as the initial proving grounds, granting the necessary certifications for DRIVE PILOT’s operation on their major freeways. While regulatory landscapes vary across states, Mercedes-Benz has ambitious plans to extend the reach of this revolutionary self driving car benz system to additional U.S. markets in the near future, pending further approvals.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, and Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes the critical role of redundancy in ensuring safe automated driving. “DRIVE PILOT is the world’s first and only system for conditionally automated driving with internationally valid type approval. It is engineered with a sophisticated system architecture based on redundancy with many different sensor types. I strongly believe that redundancy is key for safe automated driving for level 3 and beyond. Safety is one of Mercedes-Benz core values. Responsible handling of this technology is our top priority and the key to acceptance among customers and in society.”
Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, highlights the transformative nature of DRIVE PILOT, stating, “DRIVE PILOT is a technological game changer and incredible leap forward in the pursuit of conditionally automated driving. This ground-breaking system reinforces our intention to lead in safety and technology, while giving precious time back to our customers during heavy traffic situations.” For those eager to experience a genuine self driving car benz, Mercedes-Benz is poised to deliver a truly innovative driving experience.
Unveiling DRIVE PILOT: The Self Driving Car Benz System Redefining Driving
DRIVE PILOT represents a cutting-edge SAE Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving. This intelligent technology empowers the vehicle to assume dynamic driving tasks at speeds up to 40 mph on suitable freeway sections, particularly in dense traffic scenarios. Upon activation, DRIVE PILOT takes command of speed and distance regulation, seamlessly keeping the vehicle within its lane. A notable benefit of this self driving car benz system is the newfound freedom it grants to drivers during conditionally automated journeys. Certain applications, typically restricted while driving, become accessible on the vehicle’s central display, allowing drivers to engage in permissible secondary activities, depending on local traffic laws.
Safety is paramount in the design and functionality of DRIVE PILOT. Mercedes-Benz has integrated a suite of advanced sensors, building upon the existing Driver Assistance Package. Crucially, DRIVE PILOT incorporates additional sensors deemed essential for safe, conditionally automated driving. These include LiDAR technology, enhancing the vehicle’s perception of its surroundings; a rear window camera, providing supplementary visual input; microphones to detect emergency vehicle sirens, ensuring timely responses to critical situations; and a road wetness sensor in the wheel well, adapting driving parameters to road conditions.
Furthermore, this self driving car benz system is fortified with redundant steering and braking actuators, alongside a redundant on-board electrical system. These redundancies are critical safety measures, guaranteeing vehicle maneuverability and control even if a primary system experiences a failure. Such robust engineering ensures a safe and reliable handover of control back to the driver when necessary.
DRIVE PILOT will be available for select EQS and S-Class models, activated through the U.S. Mercedes me connect store. The initial activation price is set at $2,500, with further subscription options to be announced. This activation model ensures that customers are fully aware of the Level 3 system’s capabilities at the point of activation. The subscription-based approach also offers flexibility, allowing customers to tailor their access to DRIVE PILOT based on their individual needs and location, especially considering the varying availability of Level 3 enabled freeways across different regions.
Precision and Mapping: The Foundation of DRIVE PILOT’s Self Driving Capabilities
Operating DRIVE PILOT effectively relies on a high-precision positioning system, far surpassing the accuracy of conventional GPS. This advanced system pinpoints the self driving car benz’s location with inch-level precision. Complementing this, a digital HD map provides a comprehensive three-dimensional representation of the road and its surroundings, utilizing anonymized data from LiDAR, cameras, radar, and ultrasonic sensors. This HD map encompasses vital information such as road geometry, route characteristics, traffic signs, and real-time traffic events like accidents or construction zones.
The map data is dynamically updated, residing in backend data centers and continuously refreshed. Each self driving car benz equipped with DRIVE PILOT also maintains a local copy of this map information, constantly comparing it with the backend data and updating as needed. This sophisticated mapping and positioning system is fundamental to DRIVE PILOT’s ability to navigate and operate safely in conditionally automated mode.
The Future of Self Driving Car Benz and Regulatory Considerations
Mercedes-Benz is proactively addressing the social and ethical dimensions of automated driving development. To enhance transparency and awareness, Mercedes-Benz has pioneered special turquoise-colored Automated Driving Marker Lights (based on SAE J3134 Recommended Practice). These lights visually signal when DRIVE PILOT is engaged, informing other road users that the vehicle is in automated driving mode. While a national regulatory framework for implementing this technology is still evolving in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz is actively engaged in discussions with state and federal agencies to facilitate the standardization and adoption of such visual indicators.
Mercedes-Benz is committed to ensuring that its self driving car benz technology adheres to all regulatory requirements on public roads. A dedicated interdisciplinary team, encompassing technical, legal, ethical, certification, and safety experts, has meticulously translated traffic regulations into software during the development process. Mercedes-Benz operates in full compliance with the NHTSA Standing General Order governing ADS equipped vehicles, demonstrating its dedication to responsible and legally sound innovation in the realm of automated driving.
Mercedes-Benz’s DRIVE PILOT is not just a technological advancement; it’s a glimpse into the future of driving. By achieving the first U.S. state approval for a Level 3 conditionally automated system, Mercedes-Benz is paving the way for a safer, more convenient, and technologically enriched driving experience, solidifying its leadership in the self driving car benz revolution.
