While Tesla is still struggling with its definition of its “Autopilot” system, Mercedes-Benz has announced that its Drive Pilot SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system is now officially launched in California, USA, having recently obtained official certification from state authorities. The significant milestone means Mercedes-Benz is now the first carmaker to offer a L3 system in a standard-production vehicle in the state.
The updated Drive Pilot system will be available in the US market as an option for the Model Year 2024 (MY2024) Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS Sedan models, which will begin deliveries starting late 2023.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the Drive Pilot system is “the world’s only SAE Level 3 system with internationally valid type approval”. The system utilises a multitude of sensors – including LIDAR, cameras, and microphones – to enable “conditionally automated driving”, with redundancy built in for additional safety.
With the SAE Level 3 Drive Pilot system, the vehicle will be able to drive itself completely without any input from the drivers, freeing them to do whatever they want (as long as it’s legal according to the respective state authorities), including interacting with the built-in apps on the infotainment display, which would’ve otherwise been blocked off while driving.
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Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot system will be available on suitable freeway sections in the state, at speeds of up to 64 km/h (40 mph), which means that it’s meant more as a traffic jam assist, rather than a complete chauffeur experience – for now at least.
The system will also only be available when all conditions are suitable, with visual indicators shown on the control buttons located on the steering wheel rim when prerequisites are met. When engaged, the car will autonomously maintain the right speed, distance, and lane positioning. The Drive Pilot system also takes into account the route profile and traffic signs along the route, and will take evasive manoeuvres within the lane when necessary.
However, being a L3 system does mean that drivers will have to take back complete control when the vehicle requests to do so. Models equipped with the optional Drive Pilot system also has redundant steering and braking actuators, as well as a redundant on-board electrical system, so that it remains manoeuvrable even if one of these systems fails and a safe handover to the driver can be ensured.
If the driver fails to take back control even after increasingly urgent warnings, for example in the event of a severe health emergency, the system will autonomously slow the vehicle down to a standstill in a controlled manner while engaging the hazard warning lights. Once stopped, the Mercedes‑Benz emergency call system is activated and the doors are unlocked to ensure the vehicle is accessible for first responders.
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Mercedes-Benz says that it intends to continuously improve its SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system with the ultimate goal of driving at speeds of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) in its final iteration. In order to achieve that goal, the German carmaker has partnered with NVIDIA and Luminar to further iterate on the system’s software and hardware capabilities.
In addition to California, the German carmaker has also obtained compliance certification for the Level 3 Drive Pilot system in the state of Nevada, and will further expand the availability of the system to other markets in the future.
