The trending topic in the automotive industry is that, through the Mercedes-Benz brand, Daimler has been approved by local regulations to start using Level 3 autonomous driving technology in Germany. Not only does that represent a big victory over Tesla, which is a key competitor in that, it represents a wide range of possibilities being opened to Mercedes-Benz and, in some years, to this industry as a whole.
The short version of the story is that the automaker was enabled to apply its Drive Pilot package in sections of the Autobahnen network at a speed of up to 60 kph. It means that drivers will be able to travel through the famous German highways without needing to hold the steering wheel. The thing is, this is such an important advancement in the topic of self-driving cars that we have to give it a closer look. Shall we?
What self-driving levels are there?
According to SAE International’s definition, Level 0 has no automation at all: cars which may offer some types of safety and precaution alerts but require the driver to take all actions. Level 1 is the most common in nowadays: it may help with steering, such as to prevent accidental lane departure, or speed, like the adaptive cruise control that continuously alters the speed by itself on a highway to keep up with the traffic.
Level 2 is the highest available so far. Basically, the car can accelerate or brake on its own as well as steer in some situations. However, it is mandatory that the driver stays attentive at all times in case of any problem. In order to comply with that, some automakers limit their system’s action to traffic jams while others use camera-based sensors to detect when the driver drifts off and automatically disable the system.
What has Mercedes Benz achieved?
Level 3 means that the driver no longer needs to keep eyes on the road or even hold the steering wheel at all times. In other words, Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot will regulate the car’s steering and speed and will only require driver input in extraordinary situations such as a construction site. The driver still needs to be in the car, but they will now be free to engage in other activities while their car takes care of the rest.
Mercedes-Benz has been approved to use its system in around 13,000 km of the German highway network, which sets it ahead of Tesla and Waymo in the self-driving competition. This is a reflection of the automaker’s continuous investment to understand the necessities of an autonomous car and the risks it may pose to its occupants, and to create the necessary technology to put the concept to practice in a reliable way.
What benefits will it bring?
In theory, drivers will be able to do pretty much anything that does not require them to leave their seat. People traveling long distances may read a book or check social media on their phones, maybe even watch a movie. Businesspeople could also save time by talking with coworkers, sending emails or working on computer files. Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which is already getting common in nowadays, will surely help with that.
The best benefit will be making commute time useful. We tend to think that public transportation allows that as well, but the truth is that it comes with hassles such as noise, vibration, limited space, and eventual safety concerns that prevent us from doing something productive in that time. Level 3 self-driving is a big step to join the comfort of a private car with the freedom to relax or catch up with work while moving.
Which Mercedes Benz models will have it?
At first, two of its flagship models: the fully electric EQS and the more traditional S-Class. Mercedes-Benz is going to offer Drive Pilot as an option from the middle of next year onwards, but it does not know yet at what cost. Over time, it is surely going to trickle down to more mainstream models like the E-Class, the C-Class, and the SUV lineup and, some years later, to the entry-level A-Class and its coupé and shooting brake relatives.
On the other hand, by the time that happens, Mercedes’ EQ lineup will surely have become much more prominent than now. The company will surely perform some changes on the current lineup to accommodate the new models, so it is really difficult to make accurate predictions in that regard at the moment. Another interesting issue yet to be analyzed is how the company is going to apply this technology to the AMG cars.
What dangers self-driving may bring?
Level 3 is the most controversial one because it puts the driver in a tough situation: it is difficult to interrupt an engaging activity in a split second and even more difficult to make life-saving decisions and maneuvers right away. Basically, the system allows the driver to disconnect so much that they would simply be unable to respond as promptly as necessary at the times when the car effectively needs their personal input.
The easiest consequence we can predict is that it will be easy for drivers to respond too late or do too little to prevent a potential accident once the car requests their intervention. Besides that, it is possible that drivers would become so apprehensive that they would refrain from taking their focus off of the vehicle. That would essentially eliminate the Level 3 system’s main feature and could even be a source of tension.
How can Mercedes-Benz prevent that?
Since the whole system is operated by computers, it is highly customizable. A possible solution is to allow the driver to set how cautious they want the system to be, within safe parameters of course, regarding when to request their intervention. Besides that, the car could use several forms of alert, such as emitting sounds and flashing internal lights, to ensure that the driver would pay attention regardless of what they were doing.
A more conservative option would be to skip Level 3, just like other companies are planning to do. Nowadays, they are adding more functions to their self-driving systems while keeping them labelled Level 2 but preparing to move to Level 4 once their technology allows it. Basically, that level means that the car has full capacity to self-drive in regular situations and self-park in case of adversities in case the driver does not respond.
Mercedes-Benz is going to start using its Drive Pilot technology in Germany but has already made it clear that China and the United States will be its next goals once they have the necessary regulation established. What do you think about Level 3 self-driving? Would you like to use it in your everyday transportation or would you prefer to wait for the Level 4 technology? Feel free to share your thoughts using the field below!
