Mercedes-Benz has secured approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) for its advanced DRIVE PILOT system, enabling conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3) at speeds of up to 95 km/h (59 mph). This milestone makes DRIVE PILOT the fastest certified Level 3 autonomous driving system in a standard production vehicle, in Germany.
Available as an optional feature on the luxury S-Class and EQS sedan models, DRIVE PILOT will become commercially available in Germany by spring 2025. Existing customers will receive the update free of charge via an Over-the-Air (OTA) software update or during a routine workshop visit, without requiring any hardware modifications.
Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz, expressed pride in this achievement, highlighting the system's safety-first approach and its potential to redefine in-car experiences. With DRIVE PILOT activated, drivers can legally engage in other activities like watching TV, streaming content via the Sony RIDEVU app, or catching up on work.
DRIVE PILOT operates seamlessly on Germany's extensive 8,196-mile Autobahn network, leveraging a sensor suite that includes LiDAR, cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors. Its redundant architecture ensures critical systems such as braking, steering and electrics have fail-safe backups, enhancing reliability and safety.
Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz aims to increase the system's top speed to 130 km/h (80 mph) by the end of the decade, aligning with Germany's legal framework. Additionally, the brand continues to test its innovative turquoise "Automated Driving Marker Lights" in the U.S., designed to visually indicate autonomous driving mode to surrounding road users.
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