Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to introduce its production-ready version of DRIVE PILOT, becoming the world’s first automaker to offer certified SAE Level 3 autonomous driving technology in the United States. It will become available in the fourth quarter of this year, via a subscription model to residents of California and Nevada. Furthermore, there are plans to expand its availability to more states in the future.
The system will initially be available on the EQS electric sedan and the S-Class, marketed under the name ‘Drive Pilot: First Class’. It will enable owners not only to release their hands from the wheel, similar to a Level 2 system, but also to divert their eyes (and attention) from the road. However, it’s imperative for drivers to be ready to regain control instantly, which means they cannot nap while using the system.
“DRIVE PILOT is a technological game changer and incredible leap forward in the pursuit of conditionally automated driving,” said Dimitris Psillakis, CEO of Mercedes USA. “This ground-breaking system reinforces our intention to lead in safety and technology, while giving precious time back to our customers during heavy traffic situations.”
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Approved for use in California and Nevada, the automaker says that owners will be able to activate the service through the Mercedes me connect store. The annual subscription will start from $2,500 in its first year, with Mercedes noting that they will announce additional “offer options” at a later date.
Available at speeds of up to 40 mph (64 km/h) in suitable freeway sections, the system is ideal for rush hour traffic, and uses a suite of sensors to safely navigate the road. In addition to cameras, the system uses LiDAR sensors, road wetness sensors, and microphones to be able to determine when emergency vehicles are nearby.
“DRIVE PILOT is the world’s first and only system for conditionally automated driving with internationally valid type approval,” said Markus Schafer, Mercedes’ CTO. “It is engineered with a sophisticated system architecture based on redundancy with many different sensor types. I strongly believe that redundancy is key for safe automated driving for level 3 and beyond.”
After the first Drive Pilot vehicles are delivered later this year, Mercedes expects the technology to be rolled out to more owners of 2024 model year vehicles. It is also working to expand its approval to additional states in the near future.
