Mercedes Drive Pilot Level 3 ADAS: Approved for California Roads!
Mercedes-Benz's semi-autonomous driving technology, Drive Pilot SAE Level 3, has been certified in California, making it the second US state to do so after Nevada earlier this year. The technology will be offered as an optional feature for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 2024 Mercedes EQS Sedan models in the US. The first vehicles equipped with the Drive Pilot system will be handed over to customers in late 2023.
Mercedes has received approval from state regulators to introduce their Drive Pilot system in California. This makes them the first car manufacturer to have the authorization to use a SAE Level 3 system in a production car on public freeways in the state.
The automaker has obtained certification for their Drive Pilot system in both Nevada and California. The company now has plans to expand its availability to additional markets in the future. It's important to note that while Drive Pilot-equipped vehicles will be operational throughout the United States, Level 3 autonomy will only be usable in areas of Nevada and California where it is legal.
Currently, the specific regions where this applies are the freeway that links Southern California to Nevada, along with highways in the Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego.
The Drive Pilot system utilizes a highly sophisticated vehicle architecture based on redundancy with a multitude of sensors, making it a safe and comfortable option for conditionally automated driving. The recent certification by the authorities further confirms the system's reliability and safety.
Mercedes-Benz introduces Drive Pilot, an activated system for high-traffic freeway sections, enhancing driving experience and safety. The system is designed to take over the driving task, but only if the car is traveling at speeds up to 40 mph. According to Mercedes, the speed restriction is mainly because of government regulations, as Drive Pilot is currently intended for high-traffic settings. However, the carmaker claims that the SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving technology has the technical capabilities to function at higher speeds. Mercedes-Benz's ultimate goal for the system is to allow speeds of up to 80 mph in its final iteration. To achieve this objective, the company has joined forces with strong players such as NVIDIA and Luminar.
When the Drive Pilot mode is enabled, the driver can divert their attention from the road and engage in other activities like browsing through their mobile or accessing various applications on the car's display. The system takes over the control of speed, distance and ensures that the vehicle stays within the lane.
If you have an interest in Mercedes-related news, we recommend perusing our latest piece on the "2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS." The article delves into the new model, discussing its range, power, and providing a comprehensive review.
Source: Mercedes
