Mercedes-Benz is the first German manufacturer to launch sales of its "DrivePilot" system . Similar to Tesla's "Autopilot," this system enables automated driving. The onboard computer can then, if desired, steer the vehicle fully automatically through stop-and-go traffic or roadworks. However, there are limitations.
Mercedes charges an extra €5,000 plus VAT for its "DrivePilot" system in the S-Class. The upgrade is also available for the electric EQS model. Those wishing to benefit from the autonomous driving assistant in this model must pay an additional €7,400 – also plus VAT.
Mercedes is primarily targeting its business customers with this offering. Besides simple, relaxed cruising through heavy traffic, the DrivePilot assistance system is designed to allow users to, for example, handle correspondence such as emails and letters while driving. Mercedes is clearly positioning the system as an alternative to Tesla's "Autopilot," but is still significantly limiting its functionality.
So far, primarily simple driver assistance systems have been used in cars, which can relieve the driver of various tasks, such as staying in lane or keeping the distance. however, do not offer automatic swerving or overtaking.
When the “Drive Pilot” takes over, Mercedes is responsible
Mercedes was the first car manufacturer in Germany to receive approval for the operation of its autonomous driving system. The driver is able to relinquish control of the vehicle, for example to watch a film or read the news. However, the driver must be able to take control again at any time, so he must not lie down to sleep.
Legally, autonomous driving is still tricky, so the use of the system is subject to strict specifications and limited to very specific situations. To be more precise, for use on motorways and up to a speed of 60 km/h.
If the on-board computer recognizes that the requirements have been met, the DrivePilot can be activated. The exciting thing about it: As soon as he takes over driving, the responsibility lies with Mercedes. If the system recognizes that it is becoming incapacitated, it prompts the driver to take over within 10 seconds.
A question of insurance
In terms of insurance, the German Insurance Association (GDV) made it clear that Mercedes DrivePilot meets the requirements of a Level3 system. This means that the driver can turn away from the traffic, but must always be able to take control of the car and thus take responsibility again.
“In the interest of road safety, we welcome the fact that the first highly automated driving system will initially only be used in a limited speed range and on motorways – i.e. in traffic situations without oncoming and cross traffic, without pedestrians and without cyclists,” says GDV Deputy Managing Director Anja Käfer-Rohrbach.
