Mercedes is the first to have level 3 self-driving cars in the US

Mercedes-Benz will sell cars with level 3 autonomous driving in the US (Photo: Handout/Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes-Benz has received Level 3 self-driving certification in the United States. There, the first models in which the technology will be used will be the sedans Class S and EQS 2024. Both cars will be presented in the second half of the year.

Mercedes-Benz will have level 3 self-driving cars in the US starting this year — The novel will start in the new S-Class and in the electric EQS (Image: Disclosure/Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes-Benz will have cars with level 3 autonomous driving in the US

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will be able to use level 3 driving technology for cars sold in the United States, especially in the state of Nevada. The brand is the first collector to receive government approval.

As announced, Drive Pilot, the technology from the automaker responsible for autonomous driving, has been approved and will be available for use on the S-Class and EQS from the second half of this year. Yet according to the brand, it is likely that the Drive Test will also be approved in the state of California in 2023.

Discover Drive Pilot, the brand’s autonomous driving system

Autonomous driving systems are classified on a scale that goes from 0 to 5. In this case, Mercedes-Benz technology is classified as level 3. In this way, the brand explains that, in ideal conditions, as at an average speed of 64 km /h (40 mph), the driver can activate autonomous mode via a button near the steering wheel.

When activated, the system automatically controls the speed of the vehicle, the distance from the vehicle in front and remains in the defined lane, all taking into account the defined lane, road signs and road markings, as well as other vehicles and pedestrians.

The car is also programmed to respond in emergency situations, such as a sudden stop in traffic, where the car activates the autonomous braking system, for example.

Still according to the brand, the main function of the autonomous driving system is to increase the level of safety of the car. Drive Pilot is based on the sensors and cameras of the brand’s driving assistance package, as well as having additional sensors, such as an additional camera mounted on the rear window of the car, and even sensors that detect tire moisture. .

In the worst case, where the car calculates that there is no further movement of the driver, it automatically searches for a safe place to park, activates the car’s emergency lights and calls an emergency service, such as the police, fire department or medical unit. , as well as opening the car doors so that access is given to rescuers.

The exact location of a Mercedes-Benz with Drive Pilot is determined by means of a high-precision positioning system, more powerful than conventional GPS systems.

In addition to the data collected by LiDAR sensors, cameras and radar, the digital map provides a three-dimensional image of the road and the environment with information about the road geometry, lane characteristics, traffic signals and specific traffic events (eg accidents or roadworks). on the road). road. ), and all this information is available and updated in real time.

This high-precision map differs from navigation equipment maps, among other things, in its greater accuracy per centimeter rather than range per meter.

Access to interactive programs

In addition to increasing safety levels, during the trip with Drive Pilot active, the driver can access applications through the vehicle’s multimedia center that would previously be blocked while driving to avoid distractions, such as streaming programs, for example.

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