Mercedes-Benz may be celebrating on the casino floors of Las Vegas right now, after the company announced that its DRIVE PILOT conditional automation system has been approved for use on public roads, starting in Nevada. While Mercedes plans to expand further west this year, DRIVE PILOT is currently the only SAE Level 3 system certified for operation in production electric vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot first hits German roads in May 2022. But before then, I had the chance to experience Mercedes’ Distronic Active Distance Assist, which builds on the Level 2 autonomous driving that the German automaker has been offering for years. Distronic ensures that the car maintains a pre-selected distance from the vehicle ahead, while also retaining other assist functions such as lane keeping and active steering.
This Level 2 autonomous driving still requires Mercedes drivers to keep their hands on the wheel, but that’s not the case with the Level 3 DRIVE PILOT technology. DRIVE PILOT builds on the existing surround sensors from the EQS’s Driver Assistance package, for example, but also makes use of additional sensors such as LiDAR and a camera in the rear window. In addition, DRIVE PILOT uses microphones to detect approaching emergency vehicles and sensors in the wheel wells to detect how wet the road is.
By adding redundant steering, brake actuators and on-board electrical systems, Mercedes cars equipped with Drive Pilot can safely return control to the driver if any system fails. Human safety is something Mercedes-Benz always preaches when talking about autonomous technology, and the company is confident in its commitment.
This has made the German automaker the first to receive approval to operate SAE Level 3 autonomous vehicles in the United States.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes DRIVE PILOT self-driving system approved in Nevada
Mercedes-Benz says its Drive Pilot conditional driving system complies with Nevada Chapter 482A requirements for autonomous vehicles, which allow the driver to take over driving for the vehicle (with certain conditions, of course. For example, Drive Pilot is currently only allowed to engage at speeds up to 40 mph.
Other automakers, like Tesla, have their own levels of autonomous driving assistance, including Ford’s Blue Cruise, which is different from GM’s Super Cruise, but Mercedes-Benz is currently leading the way in achieving SAE Level 3 certification for self-driving, with the ability to take responsibility for whatever happens when Drive Pilot is engaged and the driver takes their hands off the wheel.
At this time, no other U.S. automaker can say that the driver is ultimately responsible in the event of an accident. If a Mercedes driver is unable to regain control of the EV despite emergency instructions (due to a serious health issue, for example), the system will automatically stop the vehicle with the hazard lights on. Once stopped, the car will activate Mercedes-Benz’s emergency call system and unlock the doors for emergency personnel.
Markus Schäfer’s title is long, so we’ve decided to sum it up in one paragraph. Schäfer, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and chief technology officer for development and procurement, had this to say about DRIVE PILOT’s recent Nevada certification:
In today’s world, time is one of our most precious commodities, and giving it to our customers is a core element of our strategy to build the world’s most desirable cars. Our Drive Pilot takes us a big step towards that goal, positioning us at the forefront of innovation in the crucial field of autonomous driving. Drive Pilot proves once again that our pioneering spirit is part of our DNA. Our certification in Nevada marks the start of our international expansion and the beginning of a new era.
Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz has already submitted certification paperwork for SAE Level 3 autonomous driving in California and expects approval later this year. DRIVE PILOT will make its U.S. market debut in the 2024 S-Class and EQS sedan, with first deliveries scheduled for the second half of the year.
Watch DRIVE PILOT in action below:
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