Mercedes-Benz EQS To Feature Level Three Autonomous Driving With DRIVE PILOT

Mercedes-Benz has secured approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority for an enhanced version of its DRIVE PILOT system, marking a new milestone in the evolution of self-driving vehicles including its electric vehicles (EVs).

The updated system, which will be available in early 2025 for Mercedes-Benz’s EQS models, allows for conditionally automated driving at speeds up to 95 km per hour (59 mph), making it the fastest certified Level 3 autonomous system in a production vehicle.

In terms of what Level 3 automation means for drivers, it allows drivers to completely disengage from the driving task under certain conditions, unlike lower-level driver assistance systems. When DRIVE PILOT is activated, passengers can legally engage in other activities such as watching television, streaming movies through Sony’s RIDEVU app, reading a newspaper, or even working – activities that would be illegal and dangerous under normal driving conditions.

The system’s sophisticated architecture prioritizes safety through redundancy, essentially creating backup systems for critical functions. “Safety remains the top priority,” explains Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz. “Important functions such as electrics, steering, and braking are built in twice.” This redundancy ensures that if any system fails, there’s always a backup ready to take over.

The technology behind DRIVE PILOT is particularly complex, employing more than 35 sensors including cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR. These various sensors work on different physical principles, creating multiple layers of environmental awareness. Combined with detailed digital mapping, the system can pinpoint its position on the highway within centimeters – a level of precision that’s crucial for safe autonomous operation.

What makes this system particularly noteworthy is its extensive operational range. DRIVE PILOT can function across Germany’s entire 13,191-km Autobahn network, giving drivers more opportunities to benefit from automated driving. The system is being offered as an optional feature on Mercedes-Benz’s luxury S-Class and EQS models, with pricing starting at 5,950 euros (including VAT).

In addition, existing DRIVE PILOT owners will not be left behind – they will receive the update free of charge, either through an over-the-air (OTA) update or during a workshop visit.

Mercedes-Benz is also innovating in how autonomous vehicles communicate with other road users. The company has developed special turquoise “Automated Driving Marker Lights” that visually indicate when the vehicle is operating in autonomous mode. While these lights are not yet permitted in Germany, they have received positive feedback during testing in California and Nevada.

Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz has even more ambitious goals. The company aims to achieve speeds of up to 130 km/h (80 mph) – the current legal limit for conditional automated driving in Germany – by the end of this decade.

The system includes crucial safety features for emergency situations. If a driver fails to respond to prompts to retake control, perhaps due to a medical emergency, DRIVE PILOT will safely bring the vehicle to a stop and activate hazard warnings – indicating how autonomous systems can potentially save lives in critical situations.

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As these systems become more widespread, they have the potential to fundamentally change how we think about travel time and EV safety, marking another step toward a future where autonomous driving becomes an everyday reality.

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