- Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT self-certified in state of Nevada
for SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving
- DRIVE PILOT available in the U.S. for model year 2024
S-Class and EQS Sedan models, with the first cars delivered
to customers in the second half of 2023
Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first automotive company to bring
SAE Level 31 conditionally automated driving to the U.S., with
Nevada being the first state to confirm the compliance of the
system with state regulations. This significant milestone sets the
ground-breaking Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT system apart as the first
and only SAE Level 3 system in a standard-production vehicle
authorized for use on U.S. public freeways. Complying with the
requirements of Nevada Chapter 482A for Autonomous Vehicles, DRIVE
PILOT will allow the driver to hand over the dynamic driving task
to the vehicle under certain conditions. Mercedes-Benz has the
ambition to continue to expand to California later this year with
the certification documents already filed with state authorities.
DRIVE PILOT will be available in the U.S. market as an option for
model year 2024 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS Sedan models, with
the first cars delivered to customers in the second half of
2023.
“In the modern world, time is one of the most
precious commodities, and giving back time to our customers is a
core element in our strategy to build the world’s most desirable
cars. Our DRIVE PILOT takes a major step forward in achieving that,
and places us at the very forefront of innovation in the crucially
important field of automated driving. DRIVE PILOT demonstrates once
more that our pioneering spirit is part of our DNA. Certification
in Nevada marks the start of its international rollout and, with
it, the dawning of a new era.”
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of
Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer,
responsible for Development and Procurement.
On suitable freeway sections and where there is high traffic
density, DRIVE PILOT can offer to take over the dynamic driving
task, up to the speed of 40 mph. The control buttons needed for
this are located in the steering wheel rim, on the left and right
above the thumb recesses. Once conditions are suitable, the system
indicates availability on the control buttons. When the driver
activates DRIVE PILOT, the system controls the speed and distance,
and effortlessly guides the vehicle within its lane. The route
profile, events occurring on the route and traffic signs are
correspondingly taken into consideration. The system also reacts to
unexpected traffic situations and handles them independently, e.g.
by evasive maneuvers within the lane or by braking maneuvers.
“An unwavering commitment to innovation has
consistently guided Mercedes-Benz from the very beginning. It is a
very proud moment for everyone to continue this leadership and
celebrate this monumental achievement as the first automotive
company to be certified for Level 3 conditionally automated driving
in the U.S. market.”
Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of
MBUSA.
LiDAR sensor and redundant systems
The top priority for Mercedes-Benz when introducing such a
system is safety, which includes high demands on operational
reliability. DRIVE PILOT builds on the surround sensors of the
Driving Assistance Package and comprises additional sensors that
Mercedes-Benz considers indispensable for safe conditionally
automated driving. These include LiDAR, as well as a camera in the
rear window and microphones for detecting emergency vehicles, as
well as a road wetness sensor in the wheel well. A vehicle equipped
with the optional DRIVE PILOT system also has redundant steering
and braking actuators and a redundant on-board electrical system,
so that it remains maneuverable 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 prompting and expiration of the takeover time (e.g., due to
a severe health problem), the system brakes the vehicle to a
standstill in a controlled manner while engaging the hazard warning
lights. Once the vehicle has come to a standstill, the
Mercedes-Benz emergency call system is activated and the doors are
unlocked to make the interior accessible for first responders.
High-precision positioning system
The exact location of a Mercedes-Benz equipped with DRIVE PILOT
is determined using a high-precision positioning system that is
much more powerful than conventional GPS systems. In addition to
the anonymized 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). This is made available and
updated via a backend connection.
This high-precision map differs from maps for navigation devices
by, among other things, its higher accuracy in the centimeter
rather than meter range and its detailed junction and route model.
The map data is stored in backend data centers and updated
constantly. Each vehicle also stores an image of this map
information on board, constantly compares it with the backend data
and updates the local dataset as required. All of this enables
stable and accurate positioning through a representation of the
surroundings that is independent of factors such as shadows or
dirty sensors.
A powerful chipset inside the central control unit provides the
necessary sophisticated software functions for conditionally
automated driving while important algorithms are calculated
redundantly within the framework of a modern security
architecture.
Conditionally automated driving on suitable freeway
sections
During the conditionally automated journey, DRIVE PILOT allows
the driver to take their mind off the traffic and focus on certain
secondary activities2. When DRIVE PILOT is active, applications can
be enabled on the vehicle's integrated central display that are
otherwise blocked while driving.
Initially introduced in Germany in May 2022, the highly
sophisticated Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT system was the first SAE
Level 3 system in the world to meet the demanding legal
requirements of UN-R157. The German Federal Motor Transport
Authority (KBA) first granted system approval based on the
regulation UN-R157, paving the way for offering DRIVE PILOT
internationally3, where legislation allows.
About Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is
responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service
for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers
drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 15 model
lines ranging from the sporty GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and
the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. MBUSA is also responsible for
Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its
products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com.
Accredited journalists can visit our media site at
media.mbusa.com.
___________________________________
1 SAE Level 3: the automated driving
function takes over certain driving tasks. However, a driver is
still required. The driver must be ready to take control of the
vehicle at all times when prompted to intervene by the vehicle.
2 Which secondary activities of the driver
are legally permissible depends on the respective national road
traffic regulations.
3 ECE contracting states (57) incl. states
of the EU, GB, Japan, Korea, Australia
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230126005679/en/
Michael Minielly michael.minielly@mbusa.com Andrea Berg
andrea.a.berg@mercedes-benz.com Cathleen Decker
cathleen.decker@mbusa.com
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