FYI: Mercedes-Benz boosts Drive Pilot’s top speed in Germany, aims for more in the US.
Mercedes-Benz Increases Drive Pilot Speed and Eyes Future Enhancements
Mercedes-Benz has announced a significant upgrade to its Drive Pilot self-driving system by raising the top speed from 40 mph to 59 mph. However, this update is exclusive to Germany for the time being.
Seeking Approval and Future Plans
The enhancement awaits the green light from Germany’s transport authority, but Mercedes is optimistic that the updated version of the Level 3 system will be road-legal by 2025. Current German owners of cars equipped with the Drive Pilot system can look forward to a complimentary software upgrade to benefit from this new higher speed limit.
Expansion and Speed Adjustments in the U.S.
In the United States, the Drive Pilot system is currently available on specific highways in California and Nevada. During a trial last year, Mercedes indicated the U.S. version would see its top speed raised to 55 mph, although the precise timeline remains nebulous. Here, Drive Pilot is featured in the S-Class and EQS models with a current speed cap of 40 mph.
Understanding Drive Pilot Level 3
Drive Pilot’s classification as a Level 3 autonomous system means it can operate independently under select conditions without driver supervision. However, it is limited to specific highways and requires a lead car to follow. The upgraded high-speed mode introduces an additional constraint: it only functions in the right lane of said highways.
The system boasts a sophisticated sensor suite, including cameras, radar units, ultrasonic sensors, a lidar unit, and a high-precision positioning system. It also has access to continuously updated high-definition maps, ensuring accurate and safe driving.
Future Goals: Reaching 80 mph and Beyond
Mercedes-Benz has its sights set on further increases, with an aspiration to elevate Drive Pilot’s top speed to 80 mph, the current legal limit for Level 3 systems in Germany. The goal is to achieve this milestone by the decade’s end.
Visual Indicators and Advanced Tech Initiatives
The company is introducing turquoise-colored marker lights to signal when a vehicle is operating autonomously. Both California and Nevada have granted permissions for these distinctive lights.
Additionally, Mercedes is also investing in a more advanced Level 4 self-driving system. Unlike Level 3, Level 4 technology would allow the vehicle to operate independently for longer durations within specified conditions. The ultimate objective remains a Level 5 system, which would enable cars to drive as competently as human drivers, without any restrictions.
Conclusion
Mercedes-Benz continues to push the envelope with its Drive Pilot self-driving system, advancing the technology and extending its capabilities. Current owners will benefit from free upgrades, and new users can look forward to progressively more autonomous driving experiences. With continual enhancements and future ambitions in higher-level automation, Mercedes-Benz is paving the way toward a fully autonomous driving future.
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Steven Hale, Editor of Automotive.fyi
