Mercedes receives approval for new autonomous system in Germany
Mercedes-Benz has updated its DRIVE PILOT system for highly automated driving and has now received approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). This means that nothing stands in the way of the enhanced version being released for sale in the S-Class and EQS in Germany in spring 2025. The system is optionally available on the two luxury sedans for 5,950 euros incl. VAT).
Specifically, the system is now allowed to operate on German roads up to 95 kph in flowing traffic, however, Mercedes also writes that there are further conditions on some roads: “With this latest upgrade, DRIVE PILOT can be used in flowing traffic up to 95 km/h under certain conditions on the entire 13,191 km-long German Autobahn network.” Interestingly, the legal decision will allow drivers to take their eyes off the road, and watch a movie, for example.
There are safety features in place to prevent unknown issues, which is where the driver normally would have to monitor the vehicle: “If necessary, the system is always able to transfer the driving task back to the person behind the steering wheel. If the driver fails to take back control even after increasingly urgent prompting and expiration of the takeover time (e.g., due to a severe health problem), the system brakes the vehicle to a standstill in a controlled manner while engaging the hazard warning lights,” Mercedes writes.
This will also be the first use case of a specially designated lighting system to indicate whether the vehicle is being driven autonomously or by a human driver. The idea here is to reassure other drivers, who may not feel safe driving next to someone reading a book, for example. Furthermore, Mercedes adds: “This also allows traffic law enforcement and police officers to identify the system’s status”
“With innovative technologies from Mercedes‑Benz, we always want to offer our customers added value. When DRIVE PILOT is activated, it is possible to concentrate on other things while the car takes over the driving task. With the further developed version, which has now been certified by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority, this is also possible at 95 km/h in Germany under certain conditions,” explained Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing, adding: “It makes me very proud that the world’s fastest system for conditionally automated driving is coming from Mercedes‑Benz. I am confident that with our safety-focused approach we are right on track to celebrate more automated driving milestones soon.”
The German automotive manufacturer has already outlined the next goals for the system: In Germany, the maximum legal speed for an autonomous system stands at 130 kph, which Mercedes now plans to achieve by the end of the decade. Mercedes also added a disclaimer at the end of its press release, reiterating that an SAE Level 3 automated system has strict legal limits: “The automated driving function takes over certain driving tasks. However, a driver is still required. The driver must be ready to take control of the vehicle at all times when prompted to intervene by the vehicle.”
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