- Mercedes-Benz was the first automaker to introduce a Level 3 eyeless and handsless automated driving system in the United States.
- Drive Pilot debuts in late 2023 on EQS and S-Class sedans.
- He could control the vehicle’s controls, but his speed was limited, and he could only operate if certain requirements were met.
Mercedes Benz It has paused the rollout of its Drive Pilot system, the first and so far only Level 3-certified assisted driving system that enables true eyes-free and hands-free driving in the United States.
This feature first appeared to much fanfare in late 2023 on the internet EQS EV and S-Class gas sedan, but now the automaker has decided to put the brakes on the system. But now Improved S-ClassWhich will be unveiled at the end of this month, and will not contain Drive Pilot, as first reported by a German newspaper Handelsblatt.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
The headline-making feature was also impressive We found out during a test flight in 2023. But its capabilities were limited by regulation, and it was very expensive to build. The system will only work on certain sections of highways in Nevada and California, at speeds up to 40 mph, in good weather and during the day, and only if the road has readable signs and lines.
Furthermore, customers had to identify their cars with the appropriate devices and then pay an annual subscription of $2,500 to use the feature.
While it’s unclear what will happen to customers who already use Drive Pilot, Mercedes-Benz said it will move forward with another system called MB Engine Help Prowhich enables what Mercedes calls Level 2++ functionality. It doesn’t offer blind-eye capabilities, but it can drive on city streets as long as the driver keeps his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road, similar to Tesla’s Autopilot.
Mercedes model MB.Drive Assist Pro
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Our area Patrick George rode a car with this feature On the new Mercedes-Benz CLAAnd I found that it works really well. The system relies on 10 cameras, 5 radar sensors, 12 ultrasound sensors, and a powerful Nvidia computer.
In contrast, the Level 3 certified Drive Pilot also used sourced lidar units Luminar is now bankruptBut the sourcing deal was dead as of 2024, with Mercedes-Benz having to end the deal because the lidar maker failed to meet contract requirements.
“We don’t want to offer a system that doesn’t have a lot of benefits in terms of customers, and we know that another system will come in the next two (or) three years with even more benefits for customers,” Mercedes spokesman Tobias Müller said. Edge.
The next logical step for Mercedes-Benz is to introduce another system that enables hands-free, sight-free highway driving, but regulatory constraints will still limit how and where these types of features can be deployed.
