Mercedes-Benz will launch its production-ready model of DRIVE PILOT in the USA. The category-leading system for conditionally automated driving rolls out in late 2023 with a restricted fleet of SAE Degree 3 geared up EQS Sedans in California and Nevada referred to as DRIVE PILOT: First Class. In early 2024, Mercedes-Benz plans for extra buyer deliveries of DRIVE PILOT geared up MY2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class fashions with taking part licensed Mercedes-Benz sellers in California and Nevada.
As the primary automotive producer on the earth to introduce this method in a standard-production car to U.S. clients, Mercedes-Benz as soon as once more units the benchmark for pioneering developments in automated driving. California and Nevada are the primary two states to approve the system and issued certification to be used on main freeways. Whereas the regulatory framework varies by state, Mercedes-Benz intends to additional broaden availability of this revolutionary new know-how to extra U.S. markets sooner or later.
“DRIVE PILOT is the world’s first and solely system for conditionally automated driving with internationally legitimate sort approval. It’s engineered with a complicated system structure primarily based on redundancy with many various sensor sorts. I strongly imagine that redundancy is essential for protected automated driving for degree 3 and past. Security is certainly one of Mercedes-Benz core values. Accountable dealing with of this know-how is our high precedence and the important thing to acceptance amongst clients and in society,” stated Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Administration of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG, Chief Expertise Officer, answerable for Growth and Procurement.
“DRIVE PILOT is a technological sport changer and unimaginable leap ahead within the pursuit of conditionally automated driving. This ground-breaking system reinforces our intention to steer in security and know-how, whereas giving treasured time again to our clients throughout heavy site visitors conditions,” stated Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.
DRIVE PILOT: SAE Degree 3 system for conditionally automated driving
DRIVE PILOT is an revolutionary know-how that permits the car to take over the dynamic driving activity as much as speeds of 40 mph on appropriate freeway sections and through excessive site visitors density. As soon as activated, DRIVE PILOT controls the velocity and distance, effortlessly guiding the car inside its lane. Throughout a conditionally automated journey, sure functions may be enabled on the car’s built-in central show which can be in any other case blocked whereas driving.
Security stays central to this Mercedes-Benz innovation, which locations excessive calls for on operational reliability. DRIVE PILOT builds on the car sensing know-how of the Driver Help Bundle and consists of extra sensors Mercedes-Benz considers indispensable for protected, conditionally automated driving. These embody LiDAR, a digital camera within the rear window and microphones for detecting emergency automobiles, in addition to a street wetness sensor within the wheel nicely. A car geared up with DRIVE PILOT additionally has redundant steering and braking actuators and a redundant on-board electrical system to make sure maneuverability within the occasion certainly one of these programs fails. These redundancies assist to make sure a protected handover to the driving force.
DRIVE PILOT shall be put in on choose EQS and S-Class fashions, and activated through the U.S. Mercedes me join retailer beginning at $2,500 (extra provide choices shall be introduced at a later date). Given the superior nature of the know-how, this activation protocol ensures that clients are knowledgeable of the system’s capabilities on the time of Degree 3 activation. Because of the continued development of software program integration, a subscription-based providing additionally gives clients with the pliability to decide on choices which can be greatest fitted to their particular person wants. For instance, if a buyer strikes to a different state or space with out entry to Degree 3 enabled freeways, they’ve the choice to not renew the subscription.
Excessive-precision positioning system for working DRIVE PILOT
The precise location of a Mercedes-Benz car geared up with DRIVE PILOT is set utilizing a high-precision positioning system that’s way more highly effective than typical GPS programs. It’s so correct that it may decide the place of the car inside a spread of inches. Along with the anonymized knowledge collected by LiDAR, digital camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors, a digital HD map gives a three-dimensional picture of the street and the environment. This map consists of info on street geometry, route traits, site visitors indicators and particular site visitors occasions (e.g. accidents or street work or building zones). The map info is saved in backend knowledge facilities and up to date always. Every car additionally shops a replica of this map info on-board, always compares it with the backend knowledge and updates the native dataset as required.
Issues for the Future
Mercedes-Benz integrates social and moral features within the improvement of automated driving and feels you will need to inform all drivers when the automated driving perform is enabled through visible illustration. Consequently, Mercedes-Benz has developed particular turquoise coloured Automated Driving Marker Lights (primarily based on SAE J3134 Really helpful Observe) that will establish when DRIVE PILOT is engaged. At current, there is no such thing as a nationwide regulatory framework within the U.S. to implement this know-how. The nationwide street site visitors and regulatory framework requires additional adaptation to a typical customary. Discussions with numerous state and federal businesses are ongoing, and Mercedes-Benz will additional adapt the system structure of DRIVE PILOT in accordance with outlined requirements as they evolve.
Legally compliant on the street
Mercedes-Benz requires that new know-how featured on public roadways complies with all regulatory necessities. An interdisciplinary staff consisting of technical, authorized, moral, certification and security specialists labored collectively within the improvement course of, translating site visitors laws into software program. Mercedes-Benz complies with the provisions in accordance with the NHTSA Standing Common Order governing ADS geared up automobiles.
Sep 28, 2023