These Mercedes drive at 95 km/h and it’s an achievement!

Mercedes has increased the maximum speed of its Level 3 automated driving system to 95 km/h.

Mercedes has introduced an upgraded version of DRIVE PILOT for conditional automated driving (SAE-Level 3) in Germany. This update can now follow a vehicle on the highway at speeds up to 95 km/h. The necessary re-certification by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority is expected by the end of 2024, after which sales may begin in early 2025. The price of DRIVE PILOT remains unchanged at €5,950, and vehicles already equipped with DRIVE PILOT can be updated for free over-the-air (OTA) or during a service visit. DRIVE PILOT is currently the fastest Level 3 system in the world in a production vehicle.

Specifically, in traffic jams, in smooth traffic under certain conditions in the right lane of a highway, while following a preceding vehicle, driving can be entrusted to the system. The driver can then do as they wish, surf the internet, watch television, or stream a movie.

Redundant architecture

Mercedes relies on a redundant system architecture to ensure safety. This means that vital systems such as steering, braking, and the onboard electrical system are functionally duplicated to guarantee maneuverability in the rare cases where one of these systems fails. Cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR are used to perceive the car’s environment and processed in real-time onboard. With a high-precision positioning system, a Mercedes equipped with DRIVE PILOT can determine its exact location to within a few centimeters. The vehicle locates itself by requesting its position from all available satellite systems. DRIVE PILOT calculates the car’s position based on the data received from various satellite systems. Additionally, an extremely detailed and continuously updated HD map provides a three-dimensional view of the streets and surroundings, which is important for safe automated driving.

In Germany, the maximum speed allowed for conditional automated driving is currently 130 km/h. Mercedes aims to achieve this benchmark by the end of the decade with a step-by-step approach focused on safety. A much more cautious and conventional approach than that of its American and Chinese rivals, but in the end, isn’t that more reassuring?

ALSO READ: Tesla cars ready to activate FSD autonomous driving!