Mercedes-Benz world’s first automotive company to certify Level 3 automated driving system for U.S. market

Nevada has given the green light to Mercedes-Benz's Level 3 conditionally automated driving system, making it the first US state to certify the technology. Mercedes is the first automaker to bring this level of autonomous driving to the US, offering the Drive Pilot feature in select vehicles.

Drive Pilot takes over the task of driving, allowing the driver to engage in other activities. The system can function on suitable freeways with heavy traffic at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour). The driver can activate the system by pressing the buttons on the steering wheel, which indicate when the system is operational. The technology can control the car's speed and distance, guiding it in its lane while taking evasive maneuvers in reaction to unexpected traffic situations.

Mercedes equips the vehicle with a variety of sensors, building off the company's Driving Assistance Package to create Drive Pilot. Cars with this technology have a rear-window camera and microphones to detect emergency vehicles, a road wetness sensor in the wheel well, and LiDAR to keep the car in the correct position. Additionally, the company installs redundant steering and braking actuators and a redundant onboard electric system to ensure a safe handover to the driver.

In the event that the driver does not respond to the system's prompts to retake vehicle control, the vehicle will activate a fail-safe. The vehicle will apply the brakes, engage the warning hazard lights, unlock the doors, and activate the emergency call system once the car stops.

 

 

Another noteworthy aspect of the Drive Pilot system is its high-precision positioning system, which Mercedes claims is more powerful than conventional GPS. The map's accuracy is measured in centimeters instead of meters, providing a three-dimensional image of the road and its surroundings with road geometry information also available. Mercedes stores the map in a data center, which is accessible by its vehicles and allows for accurate positioning.

Mercedes plans to offer Drive Pilot in the 2024 S-Class and EQS sedan, with the first cars set to be delivered to customers in the second half of 2023. The company hopes to expand Drive Pilot usage to California soon as it has already filed certification documents with the state.

Source: Mercedes-Benz