Mercedes-Benz SAE Level 3 DRIVE PILOT - the next level of automated driving

In December 2021, Mercedes-Benz became the first automotive company in the world to meet the demanding legal requirements of the international UN-R157 for a Level 3 system that enables highly automated driving. Mercedes-Benz will initially offer the DRIVE PILOT in Germany, where 13,191 highway kilometers have been approved for highly automated driving. Mercedes-Benz is also working intensively to obtain regulatory approval for the two U.S. states of California and Nevada by the end of the year, insofar as the legal situation also permits such operation. The Level 3 system marks a radical paradigm shift, allowing the vehicle to take over the dynamic driving task under certain conditions. For customers, this means the ultimate luxury experience. They can relax or work, reclaiming valuable time. For example, they can communicate with colleagues via in-car office, write messages and e-mails via the head unit, surf the Internet or simply sit back and watch a movie. DRIVE PILOT builds on the environment sensor technology of the Driving Assistance package and includes additional sensors that Mercedes-Benz considers essential for safe, highly automated driving. These include LiDAR, a camera in the rear window and microphones, especially for detecting blue lights and other special signals from emergency vehicles. There is also a wetness sensor in the wheel arch. The S-Class with optional DRIVE PILOT also has redundant steering and braking systems, as well as a redundant on-board power system, to remain maneuverable even if one of these systems fails and to ensure a safe handover to the driver.