Mercedes-Benz gains approval for Level 3 autonomous driving

With the update of its conditionally automated driving system, DRIVE PILOT, Mercedes-Benz has now received approval by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority for 95km/h Level 3 autonomous driving in Germany and will commence sales of the system in early 2025.

This update makes DRIVE PILOT the fastest certified system for conditionally automated driving in a standard production vehicle. It will also be optionally available on two luxury saloon car ranges, the S-Class and the EQS. In addition, vehicles already equipped with DRIVE PILOT will get the update for free, either via Over-the-Air-Update or during a visit to the workshop.

Mercedes-Benz has said that it wants to achieve the speed range of 130km/h (legally allowed top speed for conditionally automated driving in Germany) by the end of this decade

With this upgrade, DRIVE PILOT can now be used in flowing traffic (up to 95km/h) under certain conditions on the entire 13,191km-long German Autobahn network, allowing for longer periods in automated driving mode. With the system on, drivers are also legally allowed to enjoy activities such as watching TV or streaming movies via services such as Sony's RIDEVU app

Safety remains the top priority. Hence, important functions such as electrics, steering, and braking are built in twice. If necessary, the system will transfer the driving task back to the person, and in the event of the driver failing to regain control, the system will bring the vehicle to a standstill in a controlled manner while engaging the hazard warning lights.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is the world's first automobile manufacturer to develop special turquoise lights that indicate from the outside whether DRIVE PILOT is active, enabling other road users to recognise a Level 3 vehicle, in a move to enhance public acceptance of automated driving vehicles. This also allows traffic law enforcement and police officers to identify the system's status.