Mercedes-Benz has achieved a landmark victory in automotive innovation, becoming the first automaker worldwide to secure permits for specialized exterior marker lights designed for automated driving in both California and Nevada. This pioneering approval marks a significant step forward in the development and public acceptance of self-driving technology. The permits specifically endorse the use of turquoise-colored lights to signal when the vehicle’s automated driving system is active, enhancing communication and safety on public roads.
In California, the granted exemption is for testing purposes and is initially valid for two years. It allows Mercedes-Benz to rigorously evaluate turquoise marker lights on freeways as part of its automated driving system development. Nevada has taken an even bolder step, issuing a permit that allows for the installation of these special marker lights on production vehicles, starting with Model Year 2026 EQS and S-Class models equipped with DRIVE PILOT. This permit in Nevada will remain effective until legislative changes are enacted, indicating a strong commitment to integrating this technology into the future of driving.
These permits are not just bureaucratic approvals; they are crucial for gathering real-world data on how automated vehicles interact with other road users. The introduction of marker lights is expected to significantly boost public confidence in automated driving systems. By clearly indicating when a vehicle is in automated mode, these lights provide transparency and predictability, fostering a safer and more understandable environment for all. Furthermore, the marker lights will enable law enforcement and other officials to easily recognize the system’s operational status, clarifying whether drivers are permitted to engage in secondary activities while the automated system is engaged. The turquoise lights, designed according to SAE J3134 Recommended Practice, are integrated into the front and rear lights, as well as the side mirrors of Mercedes-Benz test vehicles in California.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “With the development of automated driving marker lights, Mercedes-Benz is once again setting new industry standards. We are the first automaker in the world to receive such approvals in the U.S., specifically in California and Nevada. The more automated driving vehicles populate the road, the more important communication and interaction between the vehicle and the environment become.”
DRIVE PILOT: Leading the Way with Mercedes-Benz Lights Technology
The first application of these innovative Mercedes-Benz lights will be within testing vehicles in California that are equipped with DRIVE PILOT. DRIVE PILOT is globally recognized as the first SAE-Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving with international type approval. Having already received certification in Germany (2021), and subsequently in Nevada and California (2023), DRIVE PILOT marks a milestone in automated driving technology. While DRIVE PILOT has been available for order in Germany since 2022, its recent debut on Californian and Nevadan freeways in production-ready vehicles signifies its expansion into the US market.
The Science Behind Turquoise Mercedes-Benz Lights
The selection of turquoise as the color for these marker lights was a deliberate and scientifically informed decision. Two key factors underpinned this choice: visibility and differentiation. Turquoise is highly visible, ensuring quick and reliable detection by other road users. Crucially, it also stands out from existing vehicle lighting colors and traffic signals, such as red, amber, and emergency vehicle lights. This differentiation minimizes the potential for confusion and enhances clarity on the road. Extensive testing further validated turquoise as the optimal color for indicating automated driving, with physiological and psychological studies consistently showing it outperforms other colors across various metrics. The industry-recommended practice SAE J3134 “ADS Marker Lamps” also endorses turquoise for displaying the activation of automated driving systems. The development and approval process for this lighting concept involved a collaborative effort from a diverse team of experts, including engineers, compliance managers, data protection specialists, and ethics experts, highlighting the holistic approach taken by Mercedes-Benz.
Paving the Path to Standardization and Enhanced Road Safety with Mercedes-Benz Lights
Mercedes-Benz is proactively advocating for the standardization of turquoise lights to indicate automated driving status, aiming to establish a globally recognized visual language for this technology. This standardization is crucial for fostering widespread understanding and acceptance of automated vehicles. Currently, there is no universal regulatory framework in the U.S., China, or the UN-ECE for the use of turquoise lights on production vehicles. The approvals granted by California and Nevada represent a critical first step towards establishing such a framework. A future globally harmonized regulation for turquoise marker lights for automated driving will not only improve safety for all road users but also drive further innovation in the field of automated driving technology, with Mercedes-Benz at the forefront of this evolution.
