California approves Mercedes-Benz Level 3 autonomous driving system for public roads

Dive Brief:

Mercedes‑Benz will be the first automaker to introduce an SAE Level 3 system for use on public roads in California after the state certified its Drive Pilot conditionally automated driving system, according to a company news release Thursday.
When active, the advanced-level autonomous driving system allows drivers to read a book or check email at speeds under 40 mph. It will be available on the 2024 S-Class and EQS sedans.
Mercedes-Benz partnered with NVIDIA and lidar company Luminar on the hardware to support Drive Pilot. These new industry partnerships will be key for developing more robust automated driving systems in the future, the company said.

Dive Insight:

The state of Nevada already confirmed the compliance of the Mercedes-Benz system with its regulations in January 2023, and Mercedes‑Benz hopes to expand to additional markets in the future.

Unlike Tesla’s Autopilot feature, which requires a driver’s full attention on the road ahead, Drive Pilot is a Level 3 system. It allows the driver to focus on other activities in certain conditions. Drive Pilot can also handle unexpected traffic situations and apply the vehicle’s brakes if needed.

When Drive Pilot is active, drivers can also open and use apps on the vehicle's dashboard display that are otherwise blocked when the car is in motion. But drivers must be ready to take over if prompted.

Mercedes-Benz said its Drive Pilot system could eventually operate at speeds up to 80 mph.

All Drive Pilot-equipped Mercedes-Benz vehicles use redundant steering, braking systems and on-board electrical system as an added layer of safety, as well as an additional suite of sensors to monitor the surroundings.

“Mercedes-Benz DRIVE PILOT is the world’s only SAE Level 3 system with internationally valid type approval,” Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer said in a statement. “The certification by the authorities in California and in Nevada once again confirms that redundancy is the safe and thus the right approach.”

The additional sensors include lidar, a camera in the rear window and microphones for detecting emergency vehicle sirens. There is also a sensor in the wheel well that detects water on the road surface to compensate for longer stopping distances when it's raining.

Luminar is also working with Volvo to develop a Level-3 system called “Ride Pilot” for its fully electric EX90 SUV. Like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo selected California as the first state where it will offer Ride Pilot in the U.S.