Mercedes is the primary automaker on this planet to attain SAE Degree 3 certification for its Drive Pilot autonomous driving system. The system will probably be accessible in direction of the top of 2023 in California and Nevada on a restricted collection of Mercedes EQS.
There was numerous discuss in recent times about introducing Degree 3 autonomous driving. Audi was the primary producer to develop this technique for the A8 however didn’t get it permitted for collection manufacturing. Mercedes did it as a substitute with the Drive Pilot system. It was first homologated in Germany by the Federal Transport Authority, and now the system has additionally acquired SAE Degree 3 certification for the usmarket. It’s the first autonomous driving system on this planet to obtain SAE Degree 3 certification.
The Drive Pilot Degree 3 autonomous driving system will probably be supplied on a restricted run of the EQS limousine later this yr. Subsequently, the Drive Pilot system will probably be supplied on the MY2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class, and deliveries will observe in early 2024 by licensed Mercedes sellers in California and Nevada. Drive Pilot will function on a subscription foundation by U.S. Mercedes me join for the S-Class and EQS.
How does Drive Pilot work?The know-how makes use of the sensors of all at present accessible help programs at its core, complemented by a lidar radar positioned within the radiator grille (a type of three-dimensional laser scanner), a extremely correct positioning system, a digicam within the rear window, plus microphones to detect blue lights and different particular emergency car alerts, and a moisture sensor within the wheel wells. As well as, an HD map supplies info on street geometry, route properties, visitors indicators, and particular visitors incidents (e.g. accidents or street works).
Like different help programs, Drive Pilot doesn’t work in fog, rain, or heavy snow. It really works solely on motorways, doesn’t change lanes at speeds above 64 kph (40 mph), solely throughout daytime, not in tunnels or roadworks areas, and solely in temperatures above 3 levels Celsius. The system should additionally acknowledge a car in entrance that’s touring no sooner than 64 kph (40 mph).
Different drivers can inform if a Mercedes EQS or S-Class has Drive Pilot engaged as a result of Mercedes has developed particular turquoise-colored Automated Driving Marker Lights (based mostly on SAE J3134 Really helpful Apply) that might determine when Drive Pilot is engaged. There isn’t a nationwide regulatory framework within the U.S. to implement this know-how for the second.
When the Drive Pilot system is activated, the show in entrance of the motive force reveals the car forward in a white circle subsequent to the massive letter A. As well as, an LED illuminates above the Drive Pilot controls, that are situated within the higher half of the steering wheel. These controls are straightforward to function with thumbs. You press, and the colour adjustments to turquoise-green. Now, you’ll be able to take your arms off the wheel and your eyes off the street.
All the things is allowed. You possibly can verify your emails, watch TV, play mime, or – fully insane – discuss to your passengers and take a look at them on the identical time. The Mercedes EQS drives itself with out sudden steering actions or lack of orientation. For security, the system solely works so long as the dashcam acknowledges the motive force’s eyes. For those who put your hand to your eyes, Drive Pilot reacts and warns you. It beeps, a purple mild flashes, and offers you just a few seconds to take management. For those who don’t, the know-how will provoke a shutdown course of and make an emergency name. On the plus aspect, the Drive Pilot system could be turned off at any time when the motive force desires.
For now, the system could be very costly, being activated by U.S. Mercedes me join at a worth beginning at $2,500 (extra provide choices will probably be introduced at a later date). If the motive force strikes to a different U.S. state the place the system is just not licensed, the motive force can cancel the subscription.
