Mercedes-Benz launches Drive Pilot – L3 automated driving, higher than Tesla’s L2 Autopilot

• SAE Level 3 automated driving
• First to obtain approval in Germany
• Available in the S-Class and EQS

Mercedes-Benz has launched the Drive Pilot conditional automated driving assistance system (SAE Level 3) in Germany. The system can be ordered as an optional extra for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Mercedes-Benz EQS for 5,000 euros (around RM 22k) and 7,430 euros (around RM 34k).

Drive Pilot enables customers to hand the driving task over to the system under certain conditions in heavy traffic or congestion situations on suitable motorway sections in Germany up to a speed of 60 km/h.

Also read: Honda Legend's Sensing Elite - world's first road legal L3 autonomous driving car

The Drive Pilot system controls the speed and distance, and guides the vehicle within its lane. The route profile, events occurring on the route and traffic signs are all analysed and taken into consideration.

It also reacts to unexpected traffic situations and handles them independently, for example, with evasive manoeuvres within the lane or by using braking manoeuvres.

In the event of a malfunction, the vehicle remains manoeuvrable due to its redundant system design, allowing system to perform a safe handover to the driver.

If the driver does not comply with the takeover request within the maximum allotted time of ten seconds, for example due to a medical emergency, the Drive Pilot system will initiate an emergency stop that is safe both for the vehicle and the following traffic.

In addition to the anonymised data collected by LiDAR, camera, radar and ultrasound sensors, a digital HD map provides a three-dimensional image of the road and the surroundings with information on road geometry, route characteristics, traffic signs and special traffic events (e.g. accidents or road works). 

All of this is said to enable stable and accurate positioning through a representation of the surroundings that is independent of factors such as shadows or dirty sensors.

Mercedes-Benz claims that the company is the first in the world to meet the demanding legal requirements of UN Regulation No. 157 for a Level 3 system. After Germany, the company aims to obtain approval in two US states – California and Nevada – by end of this year.

Also read: How Honda Sensing Elite achieved what Audi failed in L3 driverless car race