Mercedes-Benz has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first automaker to receive state approval in the United States for deploying a SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving system. The revolutionary Mercedes-benz Drive Pilot system is set to redefine the driving experience, offering drivers the freedom to engage in secondary activities while the vehicle manages the dynamic driving task in specific conditions. This pioneering technology is poised to debut on US roads in California and Nevada in late 2023 with a limited fleet of Level 3 equipped EQS Sedans, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of automated driving.
What is Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT and Level 3 Automation?
Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT represents a paradigm shift in automotive technology, embodying SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving. This advanced system goes beyond conventional driver assistance features by taking over the dynamic driving task under certain parameters. Unlike Level 2 systems that require constant driver monitoring, DRIVE PILOT allows the driver to temporarily divert their attention from driving and engage in permissible secondary activities, such as communication or entertainment, offering a new dimension of convenience and relaxation during journeys. However, it’s crucial to understand that Level 3 automation is conditional. The driver must remain ready to retake control when prompted by the vehicle. This handover is a critical aspect of the system’s safety design, ensuring a seamless transition between automated driving and human control.
Key Features and Cutting-Edge Technology Behind DRIVE PILOT
The functionality of Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT is underpinned by a suite of sophisticated technologies working in concert to ensure safe and reliable conditionally automated driving.
Advanced Sensor System: LiDAR, Cameras, and Microphones
DRIVE PILOT significantly enhances the vehicle’s perception capabilities through an array of advanced sensors. Beyond the standard sensors found in typical Driver Assistance Packages, DRIVE PILOT incorporates LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. LiDAR provides a high-resolution 3D map of the vehicle’s surroundings, offering precise object detection and distance measurement, crucial for navigating complex traffic scenarios. Complementing LiDAR are cameras, including a rear window camera, providing visual data for comprehensive environmental awareness. Microphones are also integrated to detect emergency vehicle sirens, ensuring the system can react appropriately to approaching emergency situations. A road wetness sensor in the wheel well further refines the system’s understanding of driving conditions, optimizing performance in varied weather.
Redundant Systems for Enhanced Safety
Safety is paramount in the design of Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT. To ensure operational reliability and safe transitions, the system incorporates redundancy in critical components. This includes redundant steering and braking actuators, meaning there are backup systems in place to maintain control even if the primary systems encounter a failure. Furthermore, a redundant on-board electrical system ensures continued maneuverability in case of electrical system disruptions. These redundancies are vital for maintaining safety and enabling a secure handover back to the driver if necessary.
High-Precision Positioning for Accurate Navigation
Accurate positioning is fundamental for the operation of Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT. The system utilizes a high-precision positioning system that surpasses conventional GPS in accuracy. It can pinpoint the vehicle’s location within inches, ensuring precise lane keeping and navigation within designated operational areas. This system is augmented by a high-definition (HD) digital map that provides a three-dimensional representation of the road network, including detailed information on road geometry, traffic signs, route characteristics, and real-time traffic events like accidents or construction zones. This map data is continuously updated via backend data centers, and each vehicle also stores a local copy, ensuring consistent and reliable map information for the DRIVE PILOT system.
US Rollout: California and Nevada Lead the Way
Mercedes-Benz is initially launching DRIVE PILOT in California and Nevada, the first two states to grant regulatory approval for the system’s operation on major freeways. This initial rollout, branded as “DRIVE PILOT: First Class,” will feature a limited fleet of SAE Level 3 equipped EQS Sedans in late 2023. Building on this launch, Mercedes-Benz plans to expand customer availability in early 2024, offering DRIVE PILOT equipped MY2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class models through participating authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers in these states. While the initial availability is concentrated in California and Nevada due to the current regulatory landscape, Mercedes-Benz has expressed intentions to expand DRIVE PILOT to additional US markets as regulations evolve and further state approvals are secured.
DRIVE PILOT via Subscription: Flexible Access to Cutting-Edge Technology
Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT will be offered through a subscription model via the U.S. Mercedes me connect store for compatible S-Class and EQS Sedan models. The initial activation is priced starting at $2,500, with further subscription options to be announced. This subscription-based approach provides customers with flexibility and ensures they are informed about the system’s capabilities at the point of Level 3 activation. It also allows customers to tailor their access to DRIVE PILOT based on their individual needs and location. For instance, if a customer relocates to an area where Level 3 enabled freeways are not available, they have the option to discontinue their subscription, optimizing cost and utility.
Prioritizing Safety and Legal Compliance
Mercedes-Benz underscores its commitment to safety and legal compliance throughout the development and deployment of DRIVE PILOT. The system is engineered to comply with all relevant regulatory requirements for operation on public roads. An interdisciplinary team of experts from technical, legal, ethical, certification, and safety domains collaborated to translate traffic regulations into the software controlling DRIVE PILOT. Mercedes-Benz also adheres to the provisions outlined in the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Standing General Order governing ADS (Automated Driving System) equipped vehicles, ensuring adherence to the highest safety and regulatory standards.
The Future of Driving is Here
The introduction of Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT in the US marks not just a technological advancement, but a pivotal moment in the automotive industry. It represents a tangible step towards a future where driving is safer, more convenient, and potentially more productive. By allowing drivers to delegate the dynamic driving task in specific situations, Mercedes-Benz is giving back valuable time and reducing the stress associated with driving in congested conditions. As automated driving technology continues to evolve, systems like DRIVE PILOT are paving the way for broader adoption and integration of increasingly sophisticated autonomous features, promising to reshape our relationship with our vehicles and the driving experience itself. For car enthusiasts and owners of luxury vehicles who appreciate the pinnacle of automotive innovation, Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT is not just a feature – it’s a glimpse into the future of driving, available today.
