The Daimler Group, whose best-known brand is Mercedes-Benz, will not seek to develop a car that does not need a driver at all. In other words, he will not strive for level 5 autonomous driving, but will remain at “four”. At least according to a report on the website of the Redaktions Netzwerk Deutschland (RND), which refers to a spokesman for the carmaker.
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However, it does not appear from his statement that Daimler made such a decision entirely voluntarily. “We will not compete in a race we cannot win,” RND was quoted as saying. According to the carmaker, with offers such as car sharing, they cannot make money and investors expect profits.
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Mercedes-Benz F 015
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The “race win” may be a reference to the fact that while Mercedes built the concept of the F 015 autonomous car five years ago, it has lagged behind the competition ever since. In Phoenix, Arizona, for example, Waymo’s self-driving taxis are already running “outright”.
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According to the available information, the end of Daimler’s current work in the field of level 3 and 4 autonomy should not be the end of the effort for a fully self-driving car. .
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Compared to the American Tesla, it may seem that Mercedes is behind, but the reality is a little different. The Germans rather do not want to give customers untested software, such as Tesla’s Full Self Driving, which, according to Elon Musek himself, Tesla’s boss, can make the wrong decision at the worst moment.
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2020)
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
“We do not want blind faith. We want informed confidence in the car. The customer must know exactly what the car can and cannot do, ”quotes the automotive news website of the German spokesman for Mercedes-Benz. “The worst thing that can happen is the ambiguity of whether the car can drive itself or not in a difficult situation,” the spokesman added.
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The carmaker is developing a system called Drive Pilot for the newly introduced S-Class, which it wants to offer from next year. This is autonomous level 3 steering, meaning that the driver can lower his eyes from the road and his hands from the steering wheel, but must always be ready to take control. The system is to operate up to 60 km / h and only on German motorways, at least for now.
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Poll
What do you think about self-driving cars?
I believe they will, and I look forward to them
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I’ll hand over the freeway and rest
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I use current technology, but I still want to be a master
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The best is a car without an army of guards
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A total of 146 readers voted.
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