New Delhi: Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot, a certified SAE Level 3 system, is now available in the US market. Mercedes-Benz becomes the first automaker to receive the US state approval for the deployment of a conditionally automated driving vehicle at SAE Level 3. Drive Pilot manages the dynamic driving task while allowing the driver to engage in other activities.
The production-ready version of Drive Pilot will debut on California and Nevada roads in late 2023, featuring a limited fleet of Level 3-equipped EQS Sedans. Mercedes-Benz plans to deliver additional Drive Pilot-equipped MY2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class models through authorized dealers in California and Nevada in early 2024. Drive Pilot will also be available for subscription through the U.S. Mercedes me connect store for S-Class and EQS Sedan models.
Mercedes-Benz’s launch of the production-ready version of Drive Pilot in the United States is a groundbreaking move, making it the first automaker to offer this technology to U.S. customers in a standard-production vehicle. California and Nevada have granted approval for the system’s use on major freeways, with Mercedes-Benz aiming to expand its availability to other U.S. markets in the future.
Drive Pilot is a system for conditionally automated driving with international type approval. It utilizes a sophisticated system architecture with redundancy across various sensor types, prioritizing safety for Level 3 and beyond automated driving. It allows the vehicle to take control of the dynamic driving task at speeds up to 40 mph on suitable freeway sections and during high traffic density. Certain applications become accessible on the central display during automated journeys.
Safety is a core focus of Drive Pilot, incorporating multiple sensors, including LiDAR, a rear camera, microphones for emergency vehicle detection, and a road wetness sensor. Redundant steering and braking actuators, as well as an onboard electrical system, ensure safe handover to the driver in case of system failures.
Drive Pilot will be available on select EQS and S-Class models, with activation via the U.S. Mercedes me connect store starting at USD 2,500, with additional options to be announced later. This approach ensures customers are well-informed about the system’s capabilities upon Level 3 activation. Subscription-based options offer flexibility to customers based on their needs, including the ability to discontinue the subscription if they move to areas without Level 3-enabled freeways.
A high-precision positioning system, more accurate than traditional GPS, determines the vehicle’s location. It combines data from LiDAR, cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and a digital HD map that includes road geometry, route details, traffic signs, and events like accidents or construction zones. The map information is continuously updated and stored both onboard and in data centers.
Mercedes-Benz also considers social and ethical aspects in the development of automated driving, introducing turquoise-colored Automated Driving Marker Lights to signal when Drive Pilot is active, although national regulatory frameworks for this feature are still evolving.
The development of Drive Pilot adheres to regulatory requirements, involving a team of experts in technical, legal, ethical, certification, and safety fields to translate traffic regulations into software. Mercedes-Benz complies with NHTSA regulations governing ADS-equipped vehicles on public roads.
