[AutonomousVehicles] Mercedes Benz wins approval for world's first level 3 autonomous cars

[Cornelius Butler]

Hi Everyone,
Mercedes Benz has become the first company in the world to win approval for
Level 3 autonomy. Here's an article about what this means. Article link and
text are below.

Article Link:
https://www.slashgear.com/mercedes-benz-wins-worlds-first-approval-for-level-3-autonomous-cars-whats-that-mean-13702207/

Article Text:
Mercedes-Benz wins world’s first approval for Level 3 autonomous cars:
What’s that mean?
Alvin Reyes - Dec 13, 2021, 11:34am CST

Move over Tesla Autopilot and GM Super Cruise. German automaker
Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first automaker to gain internationally valid
regulatory approval in producing vehicles capable of Level 3 autonomous or
“conditionally automated” driving.


Following the opening of the Road Traffic Act for Level 3 systems in 2017,
Germany became the first country to create a legal basis for the use of
Level 3 driving aids, and Mercedes-Benz is quick to pounce with its updated
Drive Pilot advanced driving assistance system.


“With this milestone, we are once again proving our pioneering work in
automated driving and also initiating a paradigm shift,” said Markus
Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz
AG. “We are the first manufacturer to put conditionally automated driving
into series production in Germany.”

However, Mercedes is not the first to introduce a Level 3 self-driving car.
Credit goes to the Honda Legend with an advanced Honda Sensing system
capable of Level 3 autonomy, but that car is only available for lease in
its Japanese home market. Furthermore, the Audi A8 came close to having
Level 3 autonomy in 2017, but the automaker quickly abandoned its plans due
to conflicting legislations.

So, what can we expect from a Level 3 autonomous driving Mercedes-Benz?
Unlike other Level 2 systems like Ford’s BlueCruise and GM’s Super Cruise
partial hands-free driving system, Level 3 or conditional driving
automation enables the vehicle to react to its environment and make
decisions without urging the driver to take control.

Mercedes-Benz’s updated Drive Pilot system can take over the driving chores
while the vehicle is traveling at the legally permitted speed of 37 mph (60
kph). After activating Drive Pilot via a pair of haptic buttons above the
steering wheel thumb rests, the system controls the driving speed and
following distance while independently performing evasive or braking
maneuvers – all without physical driver intervention.

The system uses existing sensors from the brand’s Driving Assistance
Package but includes other sensors like LiDAR, microphones, and an
additional camera in the rear window. Additionally, Drive Pilot utilizes
road geometry, traffic signs, route profiles, and traffic events from a
high-precision positioning system and a digital HD map to “drive” the car.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the driver can focus on secondary activities
while Drive Pilot Level 3 autonomy is engaged. In other words, you can surf
the web, eat a sandwich, or maybe watch a movie while doing so. In case of
sudden equipment failure, Drive Pilot has redundant steering, braking, and
electrical systems so the driver can still control the car.

In addition, Drive Pilot can automatically slow down and bring the vehicle
to a stop after “increasingly urgent prompting and expiry of the takeover
time,” such as when the driver is dealing with a medical emergency. The
system will also engage the hazard lights, unlock the doors and windows,
and initiate an emergency call to first responders.

The Mercedes-Benz Drive Smart Level 3 autonomous driving feature will
become available in the S-Class luxury sedan and EQS electric luxury car in
Europe by early 2022. There is no word yet on when the system will receive
road-legal certification in the USA. Still, we reckon Mercedes-Benz is
working closely with the Department of Transportation and the NHTSA to
bring Level 3 autonomous driving to American highways soon.
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