Mercedes is Overtaking Tesla in the Autonomous Driving race

I have a great interest in cars and have worked in many car shows as a photographer and cinematographer for many years. During this process, I learned a lot about cars from different angles.

I will share my experience with car shows in another story. Recently I wrote about Audi. In this story, I have a specific purpose of informing you.

Mercedes has taken a significant step forward in its quest for full automation with the certification of its Drive Pilot system for use on public roads in Nevada, USA.

The latest version of Drive Pilot is considered a Level 3 automated driving capability and is currently available on the newest Mercedes S-Class and electric EQS vehicles.

The system is capable of “conditionally automated driving” and can be utilized on freeways with high traffic density and speeds up to 40 mph. Drive Pilot will control the speed, distance to the vehicle in front, and lane position, and can react to unexpected traffic situations by evasive maneuvers or braking.

What is Level 3 Autonomous Driving?

Level 3 autonomous driving refers to a level of automation in vehicles where the car can perform most driving tasks and monitor the environment. But the driver must be able to take control of the vehicle if necessary.

At this level of automation, the car can drive itself in certain conditions, such as on highways or in specific weather conditions, but the driver must be prepared to intervene at any time.

Level 3 autonomous driving systems typically allow for hands-free driving in certain conditions, but the driver must be attentive and ready to take control of the vehicle if the system requests it or in the event of an emergency.

About Drive Pilot

In addition to its driving capabilities, Drive Pilot also incorporates lidar, cameras, and a microphone for detecting emergency sirens and wheel arch sensors for recognizing wet road conditions.

The car is also equipped with redundant steering and braking actuators and a backup electrical system to ensure the driver can regain control if necessary. In the event that the driver is unable to take over, the car will stop, activate its hazard warning lights, and call emergency services.

Mercedes intends to expand the availability of Drive Pilot to California later in the year and has already filed certification documents with state authorities. This move is part of Mercedes’ broader strategy to compete with Tesla in the electric vehicle market. They have also announced plans to build their electric car charging service, similar to the Tesla Supercharger network.

The certification of Drive Pilot for use on public roads represents a significant development for Mercedes, putting it ahead of its competitors, including Tesla, in the race for full automation. In addition, the system’s ability to navigate stop-and-go motorway traffic will prove to be a significant advantage, especially given the relatively low-speed limit and preference for high traffic density.

As the demand for advanced driver assistance systems continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how the competition between Mercedes and Tesla will evolve in the coming years.

Final Words and Takeaways

Mercedes has certified its Drive Pilot system for use on public roads in Nevada, USA.

Drive Pilot is a Level 3 autonomous driving system capable of “conditionally automated driving” at speeds up to 40 mph and can control speed, distance, and lane position.

The system also includes lidar, cameras, microphones, and wheel arch sensors for detecting emergency sirens and wet road conditions.

Drive Pilot also has backup systems and will stop and call emergency services if the driver cannot resume control. Mercedes plans to expand the availability of Drive Pilot to California and compete with Tesla in the electric vehicle market by building its charging service.

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