(Image via finance.yahoo.com)
Volunteer Writer: Akshit Bagga
Email: abagga@umassd.edu
Mercedes Benz became the first auto manufacturer to sell a self-driving car in the United States, allowing drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel and their eyes away from the road.
German car manufacturer Mercedes sold a vehicle on US soil with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities, making it the first to sell a fully autonomous vehicle. The car sold was equipped with a feature called Drive Pilot. According to Mercedes, Drive Pilot is the first conditionally automated driving system curated for real-life driving, enabling a driver to leave the steering wheel and take eyes away from the road under certain conditions.
The ‘Levels’ in autonomous driving refer to the SAE’s International standards for automation. Level 1 and Level 2 automation provide various support features to drivers, which can perform certain steer, accelerate, and brake functions in a car. Still, the driver needs to supervise continuously and intervene if needed.
Levels 3, 4, and 5 fall under the fully automated driving category. A level 3 automation vehicle can self-operate when certain conditions are met. Level 4 can operate independently under most conditions but may require drivers’ judgment to cruise through a handful of them. Level 5 is fully independent and will never require driver assistance.
The current version of the Mercedes-Benz drive pilot works in clear weather during the day on specific freeways in California and Nevada when the car is cruising under 40 miles per hour. It is currently available in select Mercedes models like the EQS and S-class sedans. While it may not create a buzz immediately, it is a step over Tesla’s Level 2 autopilot system, which requires driver concentration on the road and prompt reactions in scenarios for smooth navigation on the road.
The German manufacturer announced its automated system in September last year and first started selling cars with these features on its home soil. It rolled out vehicles with autonomous capacities for the US market in December last year and recently delivered its first vehicle to a customer in California. While Mercedes may have been the first, it isn’t the only German in the race. Last year, BMW announced it would launch Level 3-enabled cars for the European country in March 2024.
In a statement last year, Mercedes Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer mentioned, “The certification by the authorities in California and Nevada once again confirms that redundancy is the safe and thus the right approach.” According to company officials, privately owned Level 4 vehicles could be a possibility by the end of 2030.
While robotaxis with Level 4 service capabilities from companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise have been operational on the West Coast, they aren’t available for sale to the general public. Additionally, they are still in the development stage. Elon Musk recently announced a robotaxi event scheduled for August 2024, during which the company plans to make such vehicles available to the public.
With self-driving cars on the road, people in California and Nevada can spot them with the help of significant highlights. An autonomous Mercedes will have turquoise-colored lights on its rearview mirrors, headlights, and taillights. Turquoise lights will also light up the cabin, indicating to the drivers that the self-driving feature is activated.
According to an article, Mercedes’ drive pilot comes in a three-year subscription package and costs $2,500 annually. According to a report, Mercedes will have over 65 drive pilot-compatible vehicles ready for customers in California in the coming days. Data from the California DMV confirms that one of those vehicles has been sold and registered to a customer. Reclining behind the wheel and scrolling your cell phone will turn into reality.