Germany is the first country to legalize Level 3 self-driving technology.
Both the flagship Mercedes-Benz models, the S-Class, and the all-electric EQS will soon be available for order with Germany’s conditional self-driving technology. The Drive Pilot system, which allows the driver to give the whole control of the machine to the system in certain circumstances, will be available as an additional cost option on the two sedans starting May 17.
In December 2012, the Stuttgart-based automaker was the first to be granted international approval for Level 3 autonomous technology. The next step is to release the system onto the market. Mercedes will charge EUR5,000 for Drive Pilot on S Class and EUR7.430 on EQS. These amounts are respectively approximately $5,260 and $7.813 depending on current exchange rates. These numbers include both hardware and software. No additional subscriptions are required at this time.
Note that Level 3 does not mean fully autonomous vehicles. The Mercedes system allows the driver to leave all driving tasks to the technology in heavy traffic, or on motorways in Germany that allow for speeds up to 60 km/h. The system controls the vehicle’s speed, distance and steering, so the driver can completely disengage from driving. The system can also respond to traffic conditions and avoid dangerous maneuvers.
Britta Seeger (member of the company’s board of management) proudly stated that Mercedes-Benz was the first manufacturer to introduce a Level 3 system with international validity certification into series production. We are offering the world-leading technology in Germany as a first step in the S-Class, and the EQS. We also hope to be certified in the USA by the end the year.
However, self-driving Mercedes cars can still be driven around the globe despite international approval starting in December 2021. Each country has its own rules for autonomous technology in vehicles. Mercedes is currently working to get certification in the United States.