Mercedes-Benz will start selling level 3 autonomous cars

The development of autonomous cars continues and after a long time we will move on again, at least in terms of “commonly” available cars. Until now, the maximum was partially autonomous Level 2 control (SAE Level 2), which still means only advanced driving assistants. So it is far from a fully autonomous procedure. One exception is Honda Legend, which has been offering UAE Level 3 since this spring, but there is a limited program for renting these cars to a selected group of users. It is still not a general availability of this technology. Mercedes-Benz it goes a little further and its luxury S-Class and EQS sedans will have autonomous level 3 control from next year. Anyone (who will have the money) will be able to buy a car with his support.-

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Mercedes-Benz obtained a license from the German regulator KBA to operate at this level, as it met all the requirements of UN-R-157. This should make it easier to recognize the same in the demands of the EU, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and Australia, which can speed up international acceptance. Technology Drive Pilot will get into cars in the first half of 2022 and, in addition to existing assistants, will also offer advanced autonomous control functions, but of course with some limitations.

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In the 3rd level, it will work only up to a speed of 60 km / h, it should be ideal for heavy traffic or traffic jams, for example, on expressways. Although the driver has to take over if necessary, he does not have to actively pay attention to it as at level 2. According to Mercedes, the driver can use the In-Car Office function while driving, ie shop on the Internet, write e-mails, communicate with colleagues or watch a movie. Let us remind you here that Mercedes-Benz is currently having a convening event due to the fact that it was possible to drive cars of lower levels of autonomous driving and at the same time access, for example, television programs. Competitive Tesla also has a similar scandal, but it has not yet taken a similar action. Even if the driver is not playing (which would be extremely dangerous), playing a passenger on the display can be a distraction for the driver, which can reduce his attention. Interestingly, there is a limit to video playback in Tesla, but not for games.-

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Drive Pilot will be limited to 13,191 km of roads in Germany for the time being and tests are already underway for the USA and China. Among other things, the system responds to traffic signs, the behavior of surrounding cars, which is used by many different sensors. E.g. in front we have radars of 2 types (long distance with 90 ° angle horizontally and 9 ° vertically and universal type with 120 ° angle of view), 120 ° LiDAR, there is also a 70 ° stereo camera, the car also contains a 360 ° camera system consisting of four 120 ° cameras with overlap, there is a 50 ° camera at the back, there are also 12 ultrasonic sensors (6 front, 6 rear) with a viewing angle of 120 °, there is a driver’s camera, antenna, humidity sensor and for higher safety there is also a backup system for the whole system. in the event of a failure, the main can control the power supply, braking system and steering.

The car can be accurately located on an HD map thanks to the interaction of multiple sensors, so it brings together data from satellite navigation and sensors and the HD map. The data from the HD map are compared with the recorded reality, or they are modified and accuracy to centimeters is to be achieved.

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