- German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) approves DRIVEĀ PILOTāsĀ 95Ā km/h version
- Sales release in Germany expected in spring 2025
- DRIVE PILOT customers will get the update free of charge
Mercedes-Benz has updated its conditionally automated driving system DRIVE PILOT and has now received the approval by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority. With this milestone all is set for the upcoming sales release in early 2025 in Germany. This update makes DRIVE PILOT the fastest certified system for conditionally automated driving (SAEāLevel 3) in a standard production vehicle. Itās optionally available on two luxury saloon car rangesĀ ā S-Class and EQS.
The price of DRIVEĀ PILOT remains unchanged (starting at 5,950Ā euros incl. VAT). Cars with DRIVEĀ PILOT, that have been already built, get the update for freeĀ ā either via the internet (Over-the-Air-Update) or during a visit at the workshop. There is no need to change any vehicle components for the software update.
āWith innovative technologies from MercedesāBenz, we always want to offer our customers addedĀ value. When DRIVE PILOT is activated, it is possible to concentrate on other things while the carĀ takes over the driving task. With the further developed version, which has now been certified by Germanyās Federal Motor Transport Authority, this is also possible at 95 km/h in Germany under certain conditions. It makes me very proud that the worldās fastest system for conditionally automatedĀ driving is coming from MercedesāBenz. I am confident that with our safety-focused approachĀ we are right on track to celebrate more automated driving milestones soon.ā
Markus SchƤfer, Member of the Board of Management of MercedesāBenz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing
With this latest upgrade, DRIVEĀ PILOT can be used in flowing traffic up to 95Ā km/h under certain conditions on the entire 13,191Ā km-long German Autobahn network. This allows customers to drive more frequently and for longer periods of time in automated driving mode, while using their free time better. When DRIVEĀ PILOT is activated, it is legally allowed for the driver to enjoy other activities, such as watching TV or even streaming a movie via services like Sonyās RIDEVU app, reading the newspaper (physically, or through the MBUX system), working or simply relaxing while the car is driving conditionally automated.
Redundant system architecture for safety
Safety remains the top priority for this updated version of DRIVEĀ PILOT. This is why the system has a redundant design, which means that important functions such as electrics, steering and braking are built in twice. 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.
More than 35Ā sensors such as cameras, radars, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR (laser-radar) are used. These work according to different physical principles and thus create redundancies for precise real-time detection of the environment. For SAEāLevelĀ 3 and higher, the use of LiDAR is essential for MercedesāBenz for safe automated driving. In combination with a very detailed digital map, a special positioning system ensures that DRIVEĀ PILOT knows exactly on which highway lane the vehicle is driving onĀ ā in the range of a few centimetres.
The future of autonomous driving
The development at MercedesāBenz goes on with the goal to offer customers even more: higher speeds, longer driving times without intervention by the driver and even more comfort and safety. Road traffic will get safer the more automated driving vehicles populate the roads. Currently, the legally allowed top speed for conditionally automated driving in Germany is 130Ā km/h. MercedesāBenz wants to achieve this speed range by the end of this decade.
Development also considers aspects that are not directly linked with the technology for automated driving: MercedesāBenz is the worldās first automobile manufacturer to develop special turquoise lights that indicate from the outside whether DRIVEĀ PILOT is active. This enables other road users to recognize a LevelĀ 3 vehicle and feel comfortable if they see a driver who reads a book, for example. This is poised to substantially enhance public acceptance of automated driving vehicles.
This also allows traffic law enforcement and police officers to identify the systemās status. Although the use of such āAutomated Driving Marker Lightsā has not yet been permitted in Germany, the feedback from the first test round in the U.S. is positive. End of 2023, the authorities of California and Nevada had approved those āAutomated Driving Marker Lightsā for testing purposes or respectively for later use in production vehicles.
