Mercedes Benz announced plans to launch the DRIVE PILOT system in Germany starting on May 17, 2022.
German automaker Mercedes Benz has announced details of the sales launch of DRIVE PILOT in Germany. The Drive Pilot is an automated driving system with Level 3 automation, and sales will start on May 17.
This makes Mercedes Benz the first automaker globally with internationally valid certification for conditional automated driving to offer such a system as an option ex-works for vehicles from series production.
The Drive Pilot System will be offered as an optional extra for the S-Class for 5,000 euros and the EQS for 7,430 euros. (Driver Assistance Package Plus: 2,430 Euro and DRIVE PILOT: 5,000 Euro) excl. VAT.
With DRIVE PILOT, the vehicle functions autonomously. It lets users hand the driving task to the system under certain conditions in heavy traffic or congestion situations on suitable motorway sections in Germany up to a speed of 60 km/h, the company said.
The system analyzes forecasted routes to adjust to changing traffic conditions in real-time. It also reacts to unexpected traffic situations and handles them independently.
Mercedes-Benz’s system for SAE-Level 3 driving includes radar, LiDAR, and cameras to provide a safe and automated experience. To gain approval in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz must work with regulatory bodies to see if the system is allowed or not.
“Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to put a Level 3 system with international valid certification into series production. As a first step, we are offering this world-leading technology in Germany in the S-Class and the EQS. At the same time, we also want to receive certification in the U.S. by the end of the year. Responsible handling of future technologies such as conditional automated driving is the key to acceptance among customers and in society. With DRIVE PILOT, we have developed an innovative technology that, thanks to redundancies with many sensors, enables safe operation and gives the valuable asset’ time’ back to the customer”, said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz Group AG.
