Mercedes-Benz Update Autonomous Driving System Speed Up To 95 Km Per Hour In Germany

JAKARTA - Automotive manufacturer from Germany, Mercedes-Benz officially raised the speed of the Drive Pilot Level 3 driving system to 95 km/hour. The increase can also provide much greater benefits for customers to walk on the highway.

Before the system becomes mass available next year, the Drive Pilot needs to be re-certified by the German Federal Motorcycle Transport Authority which is expected to be carried out starting at the end of 2024.

AG's Chief Technology Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group Markus Schafer, said the feature also increases time efficiency so that customers can drive to their destination faster than before and can shift to other activities while driving.

"In the near future, conditional automatic driving up to 95 km/hour can be activated in smooth traffic under certain conditions on the German highway. With this, our customers can use more of their time more efficiently," Schafer said on the official Mercedes-Benz website, Tuesday, September 24.

Drive Pilots can be used in traffic flows under certain conditions in the right lane of the highway, while following the vehicle ahead. The options previously available to use the system in heavy traffic conditions and traffic congestion on the appropriate highway will still exist.

As long as the system is enabled, the driving task can be submitted to the system, so that customers can use their time more efficiently.

Drivers can choose to engage in certain secondary activities such as working, browsing the internet, watching TV, or even streaming movies through the RDEVU service by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

In addition, Drive Pilots have safety that plays an important role in controlling driving, braking, and can find out that there is a failure in the electrical system.

The system is supported by cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR which are used to observe the surroundings of the vehicle and processed in real-time in the car.

This upgraded feature will be sold starting in early 2025 in Germany at the same price as before, which is 5,950 euros (or equivalent to Rp100.3 million). For vehicle owners who already have a Drive Pilot, they can update for free.