Mercedes has taken another step in the advancement of driving assistance technology, with Level 3 autonomous driving set to arrive in the U.S. this year. Automakers have strived to improve their respective driving assistance and safety systems, considering that self-driving is considered the future of mobility. Currently, no manufacturer can legally equip their vehicles with assisted driving technologies greater than Level 2 anywhere in North America. However, Mercedes announced an addition to its conditional autonomous driving portfolio. DrivePilot is classified as a Level 3 driving system that won't require drivers to focus on the steering wheel.

CES offers automakers and other companies the opportunity to showcase their latest innovations that will improve the experience of using technology. At CES 2023, Mercedes confirmed that Level 3 driving assistance technology will be available in the U.S., with the states of Nevada and California the first to experience it. In May 2022, Mercedes made history as the first-ever carmaker to gain international certification for conditionally automated driving. According to Mercedes, Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has approved its request and should issue a certificate of compliance within the next two weeks. California is also expected to follow suit.

Related: What Does Mercedes’ Level 3 Autonomy, DrivePilot, Offer Owners?

DrivePilot Works On Select Roads

Mercedes-Benz DrivePilot assisted driving system
Image: Mercedes

DrivePilot can request to control the car on select roads with high traffic density. It's permitted to accelerate to 37 mph, and when in use, drivers can perform other tasks like surfing the web, speaking to colleagues through In-Car-Office, or unwinding by watching a movie. DrivePilot builds on the capabilities of Mercedes’ Level 2 system and includes additional sensors that enhance the semi-automated driving experience. The sensors also comprise LiDAR, a camera in the rear window, and microphones. These will help identify blue lights and other cues from emergency vehicles.

Mercedes also announced that the Automatic Lane Change (ALC) feature will be available in the North American market this year, which is an addition to its Level 2 driving assistance functionalities. When activated, this function enables the EV to instantly begin a lane change and overtake vehicles driving at a slower speed. Cruise control will be activated alongside ALC. To experience this, the driver simply needs to input the speed of the adaptive distance cruise control function (Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC). The active steering assist feature turns on by default and handles the lane change. A vast array of radar sensors and cameras serve as an extra layer of protection.

Drivers should note that while DrivePilot and the ALC function offer increased semi-autonomous driving capabilities, they will need to stay alert, since these systems are still in the early stages of release. Sleeping while a vehicle self-drives is not only risky to the user but also endangers other road users. With Tesla already under fire for its Autopilot claims, Mercedes will need to take additional precautions to ensure drivers are well-educated on the limits of its Level 3 automated driving technology.

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Source: Mercedes-Benz