Mercedes Benz increases top speed of its Level 3 automated driving system

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to release the next generation of its DRIVE PILOT system, designed for conditionally automated driving, in early 2025. This upgrade will allow vehicles to follow another car on German highways at speeds of up to 95 kilometers per hour, marking a major improvement in convenience and functionality for users. Mercedes-Benz expects re-certification from the Federal Motor Transport Authority by the end of 2024. The new system will maintain its starting price of 5,950 euros, including value-added tax, and existing customers will receive the upgrade for free. Depending on the model, the update will be applied either over the air or through a workshop visit, with no need for hardware changes.

Once the upgrade is live, DRIVE PILOT will be the fastest Level 3 automated driving system in a mass-produced vehicle. This means the system will handle more driving tasks under certain conditions, allowing users to make better use of their time during travel. Whether it is catching up on work, browsing the internet, or streaming a movie through the new RIDEVU service by Sony Pictures Entertainment, customers will have more flexibility than ever.

Safety is a priority, and the system has built-in redundancies for critical components like steering and braking, ensuring the vehicle can continue operating even if a key system fails. DRIVE PILOT also leverages a combination of cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and a LiDAR system to monitor the environment in real time. By using data from various satellite systems and a high-definition map, the car can determine its precise location.

Mercedes-Benz is committed to pushing the boundaries of automated driving and plans to enable even higher speeds in the future, with a goal of reaching 130 kilometers per hour on highways by the end of the decade.

#mercedesdrivingtech #automateddriving #level3automation