Technically, Mercedes has long been so far, now an important legal licensing barrier has also fallen: The S-Class can temporarily be on the road without human intervention. But there are still some restrictions.
In the future, drivers of a Mercedes S-Class will be able to read the newspaper at the wheel. The Stuttgart-based company is now the first manufacturer in the world to have received approval for highly automated driving at level 3. The approval of the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) is initially only valid for Germany, with other markets to follow.
The system called “Drive Pilot” can be activated on suitable motorway sections - currently 13.191 kilometers across Germany - at the push of a button on the steering wheel. Initially, use is only legally permitted up to a speed of 60, even if higher speeds are technically possible. The most important use case remains the relief of the driver in traffic jams: While the vehicle steers, brakes and accelerates itself, people can permanently avert their attention from the traffic situation. Activities such as reading the newspaper or eating are possible during this time. On the other hand, sleeping is not allowed, as the driver has to take the wheel as soon as the system gets out - for example because the speed of flowing traffic is increasing again.
The highly automated driving on level 3 is a preliminary stage to the fully automated car on level 4. At this level, the vehicle drives completely independently and could also be on the road without any living occupants - important for the operation of robotic taxis, for example. However, this only works within predefined geographical limits or under certain weather conditions. One speaks of “real” autonomous driving only from level 5. However, no car is likely to reach this level in the foreseeable future. Semi-automated driving at level 2 is already available in many vehicle classes; However, people are only allowed to take their hands off the steering wheel for a short time and must be able to intervene again at any time.
Mercedes' level 3 capability is currently the highest level that an over the counter production car can achieve. Competitor Audi had previously developed a similar technology ready for use, but initially did not officially offer it due to unclear legal framework conditions. The type approval for the Mercedes system could now also inspire the Ingolstadt-based company and other competitors to bring level 3 assistants onto the market. The technology is available in the industry, albeit quite expensive. In addition to radar and cameras, the S-Class also uses expensive laser scanners as sensors. Anyone who orders the system for their limousine will probably have to pay a high four-digit or even just under five-digit amount.
Mercedes wants to expand the Level 3 offer quickly. The technology will soon also benefit the EQS luxury-class electric sedan, and in the long term it should also be used in smaller models. Initially, however, the number of markets is likely to grow. The type approval of the Federal Motor Transport Authority is potentially valid almost worldwide, but an additional permit from national road traffic law is required in each state. In Germany, this has existed since 2017 through the amendment of the Road Traffic Act (StVG).
Holger Holzer / SP-X