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Experience the future.

In heavy traffic or in traffic jams, DRIVE PILOT takes over the dynamic driving task on the entire German motorway network and on selected freeways in the U.S. states of California and Nevada under certain conditions. The controls for activating DRIVE PILOT are located in the steering wheel above the thumb recesses on the right and left. If the driver successfully activates DRIVE PILOT, the system regulates the speed and distance and guides the vehicle confidently within the lane. Drivers must be ready to take control of the vehicle at any time when the vehicle prompts them to intervene or on the basis of obvious circumstances.  

13.191

kilometers available for DRIVE PILOT on German motorways. Main freeways in California and Nevada can also be used with DRIVE PILOT. Mercedes-Benz has also obtained approval for a conditionally automated driving test license in Beijing to advance in the Chinese market. For other markets, the introduction may follow gradually, depending on customer demand and the national legal framework for conditionally automated driving.

A section of the globe with a schematic representation of the route network in Germany

Sensor system and LiDAR. 

DRIVE PILOT is based on the environmental sensors of the Driving Assistance Package and includes additional sensors that Mercedes-Benz considers essential for safe and conditionally automated driving e.g. LiDAR. 

Highly precise positioning.

In DRIVE PILOT vehicles, the position is determined via a high-precision positioning system that goes far beyond the usual GPS systems. This positioning system compares correction data-based satellite navigation data with sensor data and information from a quality-tested HD map. 

Top view of the S-Class, with the positioning system shown schematically

Equipment description

Further information.

DRIVE PILOT is only available in combination with the required Mercedes me connect services. These are required, among other things, to always retrieve current traffic and map data. After the initial term has expired, the services can be extended for a fee if they are still offered for the corresponding vehicle.  

With DRIVE PILOT, you are one of the first users of conditionally automated driving. Based on LiDAR, cameras, radars and other sensors, the innovative DRIVE PILOT system takes over the dynamic driving task in heavy traffic or in traffic jams: This means that your Mercedes can independently maintain a distance, stay in lane and in rescue lanes on approved multi-lane motorway sections up to a speed of currently 60 km/h in Germany and 40 mph in California and Nevada – provided that there is a suitable vehicle in front of you which DRIVE PILOT can use as a guide. During conditionally automated driving, you can let go of the wheel and engage in certain secondary activities. This will save you valuable time instead of losing it in stop-and-go traffic. For example, use the in-car office or enjoy the entertainment options on board.  DRIVE PILOT can detect critical situations and react accordingly. As soon as you want to stop conditionally automated driving, simply take control of the driving task again. If the system asks you to do so or if you observe obvious circumstances, you have to take over the dynamic driving task. You can easily operate DRIVE PILOT using the corresponding steering wheel buttons – status and activities are visualized in the instrument cluster and on the steering wheel.  

 

Prerequisites include:  

 

• The driver must maintain a correct seating position and be ready to take over the driving task at any time. In the event of a system request or due to obvious circumstances, the driver must take over the driving task. 

• DRIVE PILOT can be used: on motorway sections approved for the system on the entire motorway network in Germany as well as on freeways in the U.S. states of Nevada and California – the available route network is constantly updated (temporary restrictions possible) 

• DRIVE PILOT can be activated: on motorways with at least two lanes, on freeways, in case of heavy traffic/traffic jams, up to 60 km/h or 40 mph driving speed, outside of construction sites, with a suitable vehicle in front 

• DRIVE PILOT function limitation possible, among other things: If camera/sensor areas are covered/damaged/dirty, if the driver camera doesn’t detect the head/eyes 

• DRIVE PILOT functions not available due to weather conditions: Darkness/low outside temperatures/precipitation 

• The following Mercedes me connect services are required for the functionality of DRIVE PILOT: Intelligent Drive Online Service and Live Traffic Information with Car-to-X communication.  

Sensor system consisting of:  

• LiDAR sensor in the front grille, humidity sensor and ultrasonic sensors 

• Stereo multi-purpose camera, rear multi-purpose camera, 360° camera, microphones (for siren detection) and driver camera 

• Front radar and multi-mode corner radars 

• Highly accurate positioning control systemunit with an innovative satellite receiver, additional inertial sensors and evaluation electronics as well as roof antenna module with quality-tested HD card 

The driver must maintain a correct seating position and be ready to take over the driving task at any time. In the event of a system request or due to obvious circumstances, the driver must take over the driving task. DRIVE PILOT can be used: on motorway sections released for the system within Germany and on selected U.S. freeways in Nevada and California (temporary restrictions possible). DRIVE PILOT can be activated: on suitable motorways with at least two lanes, in case of heavy traffic/traffic jams, up to 60 km/h or 40 mph driving speed, outside of construction sites, with a suitable vehicle in front. DRIVE PILOT function limitation possible, among other things: If camera/sensor areas are covered/damaged/dirty, if the driver camera doesn’t detect the head/eyes. DRIVE PILOT functions not available due to weather conditions: Darkness/low outside temperatures/precipitation. You may not be legally permitted to use a DRIVE PILOT equipped vehicle in all countries or regions outside of Europe. This applies even if the DRIVE PILOT function  is deactivated when the vehicle is in use. In this regard, please also observe the current laws of the country or region in which you are located.