Mercedes Receives the First Approval for a Truly Self-Driving Vehicle

GM Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot, take note. Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker in the world to receive internationally recognized regulatory permission for building Level 3 autonomous or “conditionally automated” vehicles.

With the introduction of the Road Traffic Act for Level 3 systems in 2017, Germany became the first country to establish a legal framework for the use of Level 3 driving aids, and Mercedes-Benz is quick to capitalize with its revised Drive Pilot advanced driving assistance system.

“With this achievement, we are demonstrating our pioneering work in automated driving while also commencing a paradigm shift,” stated Markus Schäfer, member of the Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG Board of Management. “We are the first manufacturer in Germany to mass-produce conditionally automated driving.”

Mercedes isn’t the first company to introduce a Level 3 self-driving vehicle. The Honda Legend, which features a modern Honda Sensing system capable of Level 3 autonomy, deserves credit, but it is only available for lease in Japan. Furthermore, the Audi A8 came near to attaining Level 3 autonomy in 2017, however due to conflicting rules, the carmaker abruptly abandoned its plans.

So, what might we expect from a Mercedes-Benz Level 3 self-driving car? Level 3 or conditional driving automation, unlike existing Level 2 systems such as Ford’s BlueCruise and GM’s Super Cruise semi hands-free driving system, allows the vehicle to react to its environment and make judgments without requiring the driver to take control.

While the car is traveling at the legally permissible speed of 37 mph, Mercedes-upgraded Benz’s Drive Pilot system can take over the driving duties (60 kph). After pressing a pair of haptic buttons above the steering wheel thumb rests, Drive Pilot takes control of the vehicle’s speed and following distance, as well as evasive and braking actions, all without the need for physical driver intervention.

The system incorporates current sensors from the brand’s Driving Assistance Package, as well as additional sensors such as LiDAR, microphones, and a rear-view camera. Drive Pilot also uses a high-precision positioning technology and a digital HD map to “drive” the automobile by using road geometry, traffic signs, route profiles, and traffic occurrences.

While Drive Pilot Level 3 autonomy is active, Mercedes-Benz claims that the driver can focus on secondary tasks. In other words, you can surf the web while eating a lunch or watching a movie. Drive Pilot includes backup steering, braking, and electrical systems in case of sudden equipment failure, allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle.

Furthermore, following “increasingly urgent prompting and expiration of the takeover time,” such as when the driver is dealing with a medical emergency, Drive Pilot can autonomously slow down and bring the car to a halt. The system will also turn on the danger lights, open the doors and windows, and summon for help from first responders.

By early 2022, the Mercedes-Benz Drive Smart Level 3 autonomous driving capability will be available in Europe in the S-Class luxury sedan and the EQS electric luxury automobile. There is no news on when the system will be certified road-legal in the United States. Nonetheless, we believe Mercedes-Benz is collaborating closely with the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to bring Level 3 autonomous driving on American highways as soon as possible.