Mercedes Still Faster Without Using Hands!
This page is translated from the original post "Mercedes toujours plus vite sans les mains !" in French.
- 25/12/2024 10:55
The widespread adoption of autonomous cars on our roads is only a matter of months. Mercedes proves it.
We left Mercedes in October 2023 with a certified autonomous car capable of speeds up to 65 km/h. One year later, the star manufacturer continues to set the bar higher! Mercedes has updated its DRIVE PILOT system, now homologated by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority. This advancement paves the way for its commercial launch in early 2025 in Germany. Available as an option on the luxury sedans Classe S and EQS, DRIVE PILOT starting at €5,950, is the first conditional SAE Level 3 automated driving system available at a maximum speed of 95 km/h under specific conditions.
SAE Level 3 driving, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), refers to an automated driving mode where the vehicle can handle all driving tasks within certain defined conditions. Meanwhile, the driver can engage in other activities. However, they must remain ready to take back control if the system requests it. Mercedes vehicles already equipped benefit from this update free of charge via remote connection or service center, without the need to modify components.
Covering 13,191 km of highways in Germany, DRIVE PILOT allows users to dedicate their time to various activities such as watching a good movie or series, reading, working, or simply relaxing—though for now, avoiding falling asleep. Meanwhile, the car manages journeys autonomously within the limits of authorized conditions.
Safety remains central to the system thanks to a redundant architecture: braking, steering, and power supply are doubled to ensure reliable operation. When needed, DRIVE PILOT hands control back to the driver and, in case of inaction, gently immobilizes the vehicle while activating hazard lights. With over 35 sensors (LiDAR, cameras, radars, ultrasounds) and highly precise GPS, the system detects its environment accurately, ensuring millimeter-level navigation on highways.
Mercedes aims to extend DRIVE PILOT’s capabilities by the end of the decade, with higher speeds (up to 130 km/h) and longer autonomy durations. Concurrently, the manufacturer is developing innovative turquoise lights to signal Level 3 autonomous vehicles, an initiative positively tested in the United States and pending homologation in Germany.
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