Mercedes-Benz has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the world’s first automotive manufacturer to receive self-certification for SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving in the United States. Nevada has officially verified the DRIVE PILOT system’s compliance with state regulations, marking a significant step forward in autonomous vehicle technology. This achievement distinguishes the Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT as the premier and sole SAE Level 3 system authorized for use in a standard production vehicle on U.S. public freeways. DRIVE PILOT meets the stringent requirements outlined in Nevada Chapter 482A for Autonomous Vehicles, enabling drivers to confidently delegate dynamic driving tasks to the vehicle under specific conditions. Mercedes-Benz aims to extend this technology to California later in the year, having already submitted the necessary certification documents to state authorities. The innovative DRIVE PILOT system will be offered in the U.S. market as an optional feature for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS Sedan models, with initial deliveries scheduled for the latter half of 2023.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes the significance of this advancement: “In today’s fast-paced world, time is invaluable. Our DRIVE PILOT system is designed to give our customers the gift of time back, a core principle in our commitment to creating the most desirable vehicles. This technology represents a major leap in automated driving and firmly establishes Mercedes-Benz at the forefront of innovation in this critical field. DRIVE PILOT is a testament to our pioneering spirit, deeply embedded in our DNA. The certification in Nevada is the first step in our global rollout, heralding a new era of driving.”
DRIVE PILOT is engineered for use on suitable freeway segments experiencing high traffic density. Under these conditions, the system can offer to assume control of the dynamic driving task at speeds up to 40 mph. Drivers can easily engage the system using control buttons integrated into the steering wheel rim, located on the left and right, positioned above the thumb rests. Once the system determines conditions are appropriate, it signals availability via these control buttons. Upon activation, DRIVE PILOT expertly manages speed and distance, maintaining the vehicle’s position within the lane. It intelligently adapts to the route profile, traffic events, and road signs. Furthermore, the system is designed to proactively respond to unexpected traffic scenarios, executing independent maneuvers such as evasive steering within the lane or initiating braking as needed.
Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of MBUSA, proudly states, “Mercedes-Benz has always been driven by an unwavering commitment to innovation. It is with immense pride that we continue this legacy and celebrate this momentous achievement. Being the first automotive company to achieve certification for Level 3 conditionally automated driving in the U.S. market is a testament to our dedication and pioneering spirit.”
Safety is paramount for Mercedes-Benz in the deployment of DRIVE PILOT, demanding exceptional operational reliability. The system builds upon the existing surround sensors of the Driving Assistance Package, incorporating additional sensors considered essential for safe conditionally automated driving. These crucial additions include LiDAR technology, a rear window camera, microphones to detect emergency vehicle sirens, and a road wetness sensor integrated into the wheel well. Vehicles equipped with the optional DRIVE PILOT also feature redundant steering and braking actuators, along with a redundant on-board electrical system. These redundancies ensure vehicle maneuverability and facilitate a safe handover back to the driver, even in the event of a system failure.
In critical situations where the driver fails to regain control after escalating prompts and the expiration of a designated takeover period—potentially due to a severe health issue—DRIVE PILOT is programmed to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. During this process, the hazard warning lights are automatically activated. Once the vehicle is stationary, the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system is initiated, and the doors are unlocked to provide immediate access for first responders.
DRIVE PILOT relies on a high-precision positioning system, significantly more advanced than conventional GPS, to pinpoint the vehicle’s exact location. Complementing anonymized data from LiDAR, camera, radar, and ultrasound sensors, a digital HD map provides a comprehensive three-dimensional representation of the road and its surroundings. This detailed map includes information on road geometry, route characteristics, traffic signs, and real-time traffic events such as accidents or road work zones. Continuously updated via a backend connection, this high-precision map surpasses navigation maps in accuracy, operating within centimeters rather than meters, and providing detailed junction and route models. Map data is dynamically stored in backend data centers and constantly updated. Each vehicle also maintains an onboard image of this map information, continuously comparing it with backend data and updating its local dataset as needed. This sophisticated system ensures stable and precise positioning, independent of external factors like shadows or sensor obstruction. A powerful chipset within the central control unit manages the complex software functions required for conditionally automated driving, with critical algorithms executed redundantly within a state-of-the-art security architecture.
During conditionally automated driving, DRIVE PILOT allows drivers to temporarily disengage from the immediate demands of driving and engage in permitted secondary activities. When DRIVE PILOT is active, certain applications on the vehicle’s central display, typically blocked while driving, become accessible. First introduced in Germany in May 2022, the sophisticated Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT system was the first SAE Level 3 system globally to meet the rigorous legal standards of UNR157. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) granted initial system approval based on UN-R157 regulations, paving the way for DRIVE PILOT’s international availability where local legislation permits.
About Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, oversees the distribution, marketing, and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products across the United States. MBUSA boasts the most diverse luxury vehicle lineup, featuring 15 model lines ranging from the GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and the high-performance Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. MBUSA also manages Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. For further information about MBUSA and its extensive product range, please visit www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com.
