An autonomous car has just been certified level 3 for the first time in the United States.
The model will now be allowed to travel on all roads in Nevada. And despite promises several years old, it was not Tesla who won the timpani. As is often the case when it comes to cars, you have to look more towards Germany.
Mercedes imposes its Drive Pilot
Yes, it is indeed Mercedes-Benz. The manufacturer from across the Rhine has just obtained level 3 certification for its Drive Pilot autonomous driving system in the United States, which will make its debut in the state of Nevada. As a reminder, autonomous driving has a scale ranging from 0 to 5, with level 3 corresponding to autonomous driving under conditions.
In the case of Drive Pilot, it is no longer necessary for the driver to constantly keep his hands on the steering wheel, thanks to the exterior sensors developed by the brand for several years, but also to the addition of a LiDAR system. and a camera in the rear window. The manufacturer has also equipped it with a microphone to detect the siren of emergency vehicles and a road humidity sensor.
The pilot is no longer responsible
Enough to allow it to meet the requirements of Nevada Chapter 482A on autonomous vehicles. The Drive Pilot can thus currently travel on state roads at a speed of approximately 65 km/h.
The formalization of level 3 leads to another major change, which is to transfer the responsibility of the driver to the Drive Pilot system, from the moment it is in operation. Thus, in the event of an accident, if the driver was unable to regain control (for example due to a health problem), the vehicle is supposed to be able to stop on its own, report the problem and open the doors. What Mercedes-Benz competitors cannot currently guarantee.
The German group has already begun the process of obtaining level 3 certification in California, which it hopes to receive this year. The Drive Pilot will be marketed across the Atlantic from 2024, in the brand’s EQS and S-Class sedans.
Source : Electrek
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