Abishek D Praphullalumar
Mercedes has received approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority for its Drive Pilot system’s Level 3 version, capable of operating at speeds of up to 95 km/h. This update will be available in spring 2025 for Mercedes EQS customers, either as an over-the-air update or at a workshop, with no hardware changes required. Drive Pilot is a conditionally automated driving system, now the fastest certified Level 3 autonomous system in production vehicles.
The system allows drivers to engage in activities like watching TV or reading while driving on Germany’s 13,191 km Autobahn network, under specific conditions. Drive Pilot uses over 35 sensors, including cameras, radars, and LiDAR, for precise environmental detection. Mercedes aims to extend the system to 130 km/h by the end of the decade and plans to introduce special turquoise lights to signal when Drive Pilot is active.
