Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot Technology Will Be Ready To Go During May 2022
Mercedes-Benz is making moves to release its “Drive Pilot” technology, a conditionally automated Level 3 system made for autonomous driving in Germany for the flagship S-Class and flagship EQS. These gasoline and fully electric models are set to go on sale next Tuesday, (May 17), marking the first time a car manufacturer has an autonomous system with an internationally valid certification in the world.
Perhaps Mercedes-Benz‘s main competitor in the EV market, Tesla, has been trying…failing to work with North American safety regulators about their own self-driving system, which also claims to be the most progressive in the industry. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, recently said in a conference call with investors that he’s expecting to have a “Level Four” system ready by the end of this year and even pushed Tesla owners to join in on the current “Beta Tests” of the system.
Another American car manufacturer, General Motors is preparing to release its autonomous system, which involves technology from Cruise, the company’s automated driving unit.
Mercedes-Benz was the first car maker to receive an internationally valid system approval in December of last year. Their Drive Pilot says that when the Drive Pilot is activated, it has the ability to control the speed and distance and directs the vehicle within its lane while examining the route and traffic signs. It also evaluates unexpected traffic conditions and handles them with quick maneuvers or braking.
Additionally, the system is built upon the sensing technology of the brand’s Driving Assistance Package and consists of extra sensors Mercedes-Benz deems necessary for safe operation, like radar, lidar and cameras, along with ultrasound and moisture sensors.
“Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to put a Level 3 system with international valid certification into series production. As a first step, we are offering this world-leading technology in Germany in the S-Class and the EQS,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, responsible for Marketing & Sales.
“At the same time, we also want to receive certification in the U.S. by the end of the year. Responsible handling of future technologies such as conditional automated driving is the key to acceptance among customers and in society. With Drive Pilot, we have developed an innovative technology that, thanks to redundancies with many sensors, enables safe operation and gives the asset ‘time’ back to the customer.”
The Drive Pilot option will be priced at $5,400 in S-Class while the EQS buyers will be required to pay $8,024 as part of the bundle in the driver assistance package.
Mercedes-Benz also hopes to get regulatory series approval in California and Nevada by the end of 2022, and that’s if they get legal approval for the system’s operation.
We believe that Mercedes-Benz is prepared to handle anything in the tech field, as it’s already been offering driver assistance features in its vehicles for years. These systems can prove to be very useful in everyday situations, in regards to speed, distance control, steering or lane changes.
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