Mercedes Outperforms Tesla in the Autonomous Vehicle Market

Mercedes-Benz is the first automaker to receive approval from the American government for deploying a Level 3 SAE automated driving vehicle.

After hearing so much about Tesla’s Autopilot, we almost thought that the American manufacturer had flooded the roads with autonomous vehicles, but it is indeed Mercedes that outpaces everyone!

Mercedes Advantage

While things are bustling in Austin, Stuttgart is hard at work. Here is a brief message Mercedes just sent to the World of new mobility.

Mercedes’ automated driving system will be rolled out at the end of 2023 with a limited fleet of EQS sedans equipped with Level 3 SAE system in California and Nevada, under the name DRIVE PILOT: First Class. At the beginning of 2024, Mercedes-Benz plans to deliver additional models, including EQS Sedan and 2024 S-Class models equipped with DRIVE PILOT, through authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers in California and Nevada.

DRIVE PILOT allows the vehicle to handle dynamic driving up to speeds of 40 mph (65 km/h) on suitable highway sections and in cases of heavy traffic. Once activated, DRIVE PILOT controls speed, safety distances, and of course, lane keeping. While we are still far from Level 5 fully autonomous driving, Mercedes continues to advance its efforts.

Proven Technology

Some specialized equipment is now appearing, such as LiDAR, a camera in the rear window, microphones for emergency vehicle detection, and a pavement humidity sensor in the wheel arch. The vehicle’s precise position is determined using a high-precision positioning system, much more advanced than conventional GPS systems. It can determine the vehicle’s position within a few centimeters. In addition to anonymous data collected from LiDAR sensors, cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors, a high-definition digital map provides a three-dimensional image of the road and its surroundings. This map includes information on road geometry, route features, signage, and special traffic events (e.g., accidents or roadwork or construction zones). Map data is stored in backend data centers and is continuously updated. Each vehicle also stores a copy of this mapping data on board, constantly compares it with the baseline data, and updates local information as needed. A specific light signature is activated in autonomous mode to warn other drivers.

The already exceptional technological equipment of these vehicles helps limit the number of necessary accessories and thus reduce system costs. DRIVE PILOT will be installed on certain EQS and S-Class models and activated via the Mercedes Me Connect store in the U.S. starting at $2,500.

ALSO READ > Mercedes faces the future of its employees.