German Auto Watchdog To Allow Pilot Drive System Developed By Mercedes-Benz

JAKARTA - The German auto watchdog has authorized Mercedes-Benz's semi-autonomous car driving system, paving the way for the Daimler AG subsidiary to start offering its Drive Pilot system internationally.

This highly automated system allows the driver to focus on other activities when the car equipped with the technology is in heavy traffic or on congested highways, Mercedes-Benz said in a statement.

The German KBA authorities approved the system based on the technical requirements set out in UN regulations.

"KBA sets national, European and international standards in road safety on the road to autonomous driving," said Authority President Richard Damm in a statement.

In addition to UN regulations on technical requirements, countries must also issue laws explaining where and how the system can be used, as well as other liability issues.

"With this milestone, we are once again proving our pioneering work in automated driving and also embarking on a radical paradigm shift," said Markus Schaefer, chief technology officer of Daimler.

As soon as autonomous car laws in China and the United States come into effect, Mercedes-Benz will offer the system in those markets, Schaefer added.

The German approval means Mercedes-Benz can offer the S-Class with Pilot Drive to customers in Germany in the first half of 2022.

Such Level 3 automated systems have been permitted in Germany since 2017. According to Mercedes-Benz, there are more than 13.100 kilometers (8.140 miles) of highways suitable for the Drive Pilot system in Germany.

The KBA approved the system for driving at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (37 miles per hour). It has not been decided whether to remove it for speeds up to 130 kph, or the lane change assistant which will automatically overtake other cars.