On December 16, Mercedes-Benz secured approval as one of the initial automakers to obtain a highway road test license for conditionally automated driving (Level 3) in Beijing.
The German luxury car manufacturer will commence testing its conditionally automated driving system on designated Beijing highways, consistently prioritizing the “safety first” principle.
Mercedes-Benz has maintained a leading role in automated driving, dating back to 1986 with adaptive cruise control testing. It currently holds the distinction of being the only car manufacturer globally with internationally recognized system approval for conditionally automated driving and a SAE Level 4 driverless parking system. In China, the company has been conducting Level 3 system proving ground tests for several years.
Markus Schafer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the significance of the testing license in Beijing, marking a crucial milestone in preparing conditionally automated driving for Chinese roads. He highlighted the incorporation of global expertise to support the local R&D team in ensuring a safe and reliable system design.
Mercedes-Benz’s Level 3 automated driving system, DRIVE PILOT, utilizes advanced sensor technology from the Driving Assistance Package. This includes crucial additional sensors such as LiDAR, an advanced stereo camera, a multi-purpose camera, microphones, and a moisture sensor. The system enables drivers to engage in certain secondary activities during conditionally automated driving, such as communication via In-Car Office or leisure activities. The introduction of DRIVE PILOT occurred in Germany in 2022, initially as an optional feature for the S-Class and EQS models.
In the U.S., DRIVE PILOT’s production-ready version has been tested with a limited fleet of Level 3-equipped EQS Sedans in California and Nevada. Customer deliveries of MY2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class models with DRIVE PILOT are set to begin in early 2024.
Mercedes-Benz is adopting a phased approach to system design, focusing on safety. By the end of the decade, the goal is to expand the availability of the system on freeways up to 130kph, with intermediate steps planned, such as a system capable of 90kph on German highways.
In China, Mercedes-Benz seamlessly integrates its global R&D experience with a local team, collaborating with partners and adapting to local regulations. This ensures the delivery of customised products tailored to the preferences and needs of Chinese customers. The local R&D team, actively involved since the early stages of global development, has been conducting testing and validation in China since 2021, focusing on adapting the system to local infrastructure, traffic conditions, road signs, and unique scenarios like bus lanes.
Over the past 18 years, Mercedes-Benz has expanded its R&D capabilities in China, with new centers established in Beijing and Shanghai in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The company has fostered collaborations with local partners, including longstanding joint research with Tsinghua University in sustainable mobility. By the end of 2023, Mercedes-Benz aims to grow its China R&D team to 2,000 people, further emphasizing its commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of the Chinese market.