Mercedes-Benz has received approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority for the updated version of its DRIVE PILOT system, enabling conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3) at speeds of up to 95 km/h.
With this milestone, Mercedes-Benz now offers the fastest certified Level 3 system for standard production vehicles, available as an optional feature for the S-Class and EQS models.
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Sales are set to begin in Germany in spring 2025, with pricing unchanged at €5,950. Existing DRIVE PILOT customers will receive the update for free via over-the-air software delivery or during a workshop visit—no hardware modifications are required.
Markus Schäfer, Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes-Benz, highlighted the achievement, stating, “The further developed version allows customers to concentrate on other activities while the car drives at 95 km/h. It makes me very proud that the world’s fastest conditionally automated driving system comes from Mercedes-Benz.”
The updated system will operate across Germany’s 13,191 km-long Autobahn network, allowing drivers to engage in other activities like watching movies, reading, or working while DRIVE PILOT handles the driving under specific conditions.
Safety remains a top priority, with a redundant architecture ensuring key systems such as steering, braking, and electronics are duplicated. If the driver fails to regain control after multiple prompts (e.g., due to a health issue), the system will bring the vehicle to a safe stop with hazard lights engaged.
Over 35 sensors, including cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR, work in tandem with detailed digital mapping and advanced positioning systems to ensure real-time, centimeter-precise awareness of the vehicle’s location and surroundings.
Mercedes-Benz continues to push advancements in autonomous driving, aiming for speeds of up to 130 km/h by the end of the decade.
The company is also pioneering the use of turquoise Automated Driving Marker Lights, which signal to other road users that DRIVE PILOT is active. Though not yet approved in Germany, these lights have received positive feedback in U.S. tests and have been authorized for use in California and Nevada.
With this upgrade, Mercedes-Benz reinforces its leadership in automated driving, balancing innovation, safety, and convenience to redefine the future of driving.
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