Mercedes-Benz Level 3 autonomous tech, the Drive Pilot gets regulatory approval

KUALA LUMPUR: As we know, a few big automakers are rigorously working to offer higher levels of automation driving tech in their cars. In this race, Mercedes-Benz is now one step ahead of others as it recently won regulatory approval to deploy a Level 3 hands-free driving system in its cars. The United Nations regulation body UN-R157 that sets the benchmarks of Level 3 autonomous driving technology for vehicles granted this approval to the German automaker. 

“With this milestone, we are once again proving our pioneering work in automated driving and also initiating a radical paradigm shift. For the first time in 136 years of automotive history, the vehicle takes over the dynamic driving task under certain conditions,” said Mercedes-Benz chief technology officer Markus Schäfer.

The automated driving technology of the brand is called Drive Pilot and it will be available in the S-Class sedan and its electric equivalent EQS in the first half of the next year. 

What does the Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot have to offer?

• The Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot will let the customers drive their cars in conditionally automated mode at a legally permitted speed of 60 kmph during heavy traffic 
• It will enable the driver to perform a few tasks on the central screen like communicating via In-Car Office, online shopping, or processing emails
• The cars equipped with the Mercedes Drive Pilot will also have supplemental steering and braking systems and an onboard electrical system to remain maneuverable in case any system fails and thus safety handover the vehicle to the driver
• In case the driver fails to take back the control due to any reason, the tech will bring the car to a standstill position with suitable deceleration

To perform these tasks, the system will use surround sensors of the Driving Assistance Pack, LiDAR, a rear window camera, microphones, and a wetness sensor positioned on the wheel. The latter will receive information about the road geometry, traffic signs, route profile from a digital HD map.

Currently, Mercedes is offering the Level 3 automated tech on 13,191 km (8,197 miles) of motorway in Germany and conducting extensive test drives in USA and China as well. It will start rolling out the tech as soon as the regions will allow it.

Also read: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur returns bigger with latest fashion trends