Mercedes-Benz Is Granted Permission For Its Hands-Free Drive System
An Electrified Win For Mercedes-Benz
The German automaker known for specializing in progressive technologies and luxury design, Mercedes-Benz, has just received regulatory approval to go forward with its hands-free driving system in Germany. Getting first dibs on the go-ahead from its home country means that the automaker has gained an edge over the ever competitive Tesla Inc.
The opulent manufacturer received approval to sell its Drive Pilot package, which is meant to be used on the country’s Autobahn network, specifically with a speed reaching 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour, according to the company.
The system was permitted for Level 3 autonomous driving, which is a step higher than Tesla’s Level 2 Autopilot system. It will also enable drivers to let Mercedes-Benz take the wheel in slow-moving traffic.
“Drive Pilot enables the driver to turn away from the traffic and focus on certain secondary activities,” the luxury-car maker said in a statement. “For example, to communicate with colleagues via the in-car office, to write emails, to surf the Internet or to relax and watch a film.”
Companies like Tesla, Waymo (from Alphabet Inc), along with others have been pursuing autonomous technologies for quite some time. A vehicle that has full self-driving capabilities would certainly be alluring to lavish customers, especially since this would allow buyers to work or revel in entertainment systems as they make their way to their destination.
While this car company only got permission to use its system in Germany, they said that they’re reaching for regulatory approval in other regions as well. Drive Pilot will be an available feature for the high-ranking S-Class and EQS models starting near the middle of next year. The luxury manufacturer hasn’t yet determined how much they will charge for the system, which was given the approval to be used close to 13,000 kilos of Germany’s highway network.
Who’s Staying Hopeful
Tesla has gotten into hot water in the German car market in regards to its driver-assistance technology. Last year, a German court denied the American automaker’s promotion of its Autopilot, because they believed that the company misled its customers about the capabilities of the system.
In spite of this rejection, Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk seemed to have a rather positive view on the effectiveness of his vehicles, even being so bold as to start charging his customers thousands for the “Full Self Driving” system in 2016. Today, the rival still necessitates users of its Autopilot to be fully alert and ready to take the wheel back at any time.
While Mercedes-Benz’s approval from their home country is certainly a wonderful achievement, they aren’t the first car maker to market a Level 3 system in a production car. In 2020, Honda Motor Co., received the go-ahead from Japanese regulators for its system in its Legend car, but it has only been released through a limited production run.
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