Drive Pilot: Mercedes commercializes level 3 semi-autonomous driving


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Mercedes is cutting the grass under the feet of the competition by being the first to offer, as an option, its level 3 semi-autonomous driving system called Drive Pilot. It will cost €5,000 for an S-Class and €7,430 for an EQS.

If in February 2017, the former German Federal Minister of Transport Alexander Dobrindt wondered about the ability of German manufacturers to remain among the best in the decade following his mandate, Mercedes has not been idle on his side. As of December 2021, the manufacturer obtained the green light from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) for level 3 autonomous driving, or SAE 3. An approval which allowed the brand with the star to establish itself as the first in the world to equip its vehicles with an internationally valid automated driving system. For information, the test track (a section of 68 kilometers) is located between Metz and Merzig, a German city located in the Saarland, and is granted under missive of intent by the German and French ministers.

After refining its tests, Mercedes has just announced the availability, from May 17, 2022, of its semi-autonomous driving system called Drive Pilot. This will be available from €5,000 for an S-Class against €7,430 (€2,430 driving aids + the Drive Pilot at €5,000) for the EQS. On the other hand, the Drive Pilot will only be installed on new cars since in addition to the software part, it is necessary to install additional hardware.

©Mercedes

The Drive Pilot has been certified for use on the approximately 13,000 km of German autobahns at maximum speeds of 60 km/h. Suffice to say that its use will be mainly in traffic jams or when road traffic is dense. As a reminder, the semi-autonomous driving system is activated via controls located on the left and right edges of the steering wheel.

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Once engaged, Drive Pilot monitors speed, distance and keeps the vehicle in its lane while taking into account the route, any incidents and of course traffic signs. The system is capable of carrying out evasive maneuvers and braking on its own. It will also intervene if the driver does not respond to a request to regain control of the vehicle. Finally, Drive Pilot can also recognize emergency vehicles.

©Mercedes

“Freed” from driving, the driver can go about other occupations like surfing the web, reading emails, chatting with friends or even watching a movie, all from the central infotainment screen.

This level 3 semi-autonomous driving is enabled by a multitude of ultrasonic sensors, but also radar, cameras and a Scala 2 lidar signed by the French equipment manufacturer Valeo. This third generation of lidar saw its range multiplied by three, with an increase in its resolution and its angle of view. Result, the Scala 2 works whatever the weather conditions, remains insensitive “to variations in brightness“, is not blinded by the rays of the sun and sees in the dark.

©Mercedes

The next step in automation for Mercedes is the integration of Park Pilot, which allows the vehicle to park itself.

For now, Germany is the only European country to allow level 3 autonomous driving. The German manufacturer is working to certify its Drive Pilot in California and Nevada, the precursors in this area. However, the competition is tougher in the United States, with Cadillac’s Super Cruise (first in Consumer Reports’ ranking), Tesla’s Autopilot and Ford/Lincoln’s CoPilot 360

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