A restricted variety of U.S. Mercedes-Benz EV drivers will quickly have entry to Drive Pilot, a driver-assistance system that Mercedes claims will let drivers take their eyes off the highway in sure conditions.
Drive Pilot guarantees to advance self-driving functionality as a result of it is what Mercedes claims is an SAE Degree 3 system providing “conditionally automated driving.” On this case, which means drivers can take their palms off the wheel at low speeds on pre-mapped highways, but additionally take their eyes off the highway—one thing that is not allowed with Degree 2 methods.
Drive Pilot launched in Germany final 12 months, however this week Mercedes introduced that it had acquired regulator approval to deploy the system in California and Nevada. With that regulatory hurdle cleared, what Mercedes calls the “production-ready” model of Drive Pilot will seem later this 12 months, beginning with a “restricted fleet” of EQS automobiles, adopted by a broader rollout in early 2024.
![Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/mercedes-benz_100899263_l.webp)
Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot
In line with a Mercedes press launch, Drive Pilot can be put in on 2024-model-year variations of each the EQS and the gasoline S-Class sedan and activated by the Mercedes Me Join app retailer. As a result of Drive Pilot has solely acquired formal approval in California and Nevada, automobiles outfitted with the system will solely be bought by collaborating sellers in these states.
Pricing begins at $2,500 for an annual subscription. Mercedes claims a subscription-based mannequin is extra acceptable as a result of it affords added flexibility for purchasers. If an EQS or S-Class proprietor strikes to a different state the place the system is not accredited, or to any space with out the mapped highways mandatory for the system to function, they’ll merely cease paying the subscription, Mercedes says.
Drive Pilot is not simply software program although. It contains further sensors on prime of what is already supplied within the Driver Help Package deal for the EQS sedan and S-Class. They embrace lidar, a digicam within the rear window, microphones for detecting the sirens from emergency automobiles, and a road-wetness sensor in a wheel effectively. Drive Pilot-equipped automobiles even have redundant steering and braking {hardware}, plus massive buttons on the steering wheel to activate and deactivate the system.
![Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/mercedes-benz_100899265_l.webp)
Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot
Such a system suits the character of the EQS, which has been a flagship for tech from the beginning. Mercedes has teased that Drive Pilot is on the way in which for different fashions as effectively—like doubtlessly a smaller manufacturing EV based mostly on the Idea CLA-Class not too long ago proven on the 2023 Munich auto present.
Tesla’s driver-assistance methods have attracted numerous consideration from regulators. Early this 12 months the NHTSA identified that system posed “an unreasonable threat to motorized vehicle security.”