Mercedes-Benz Autonomous Driving Light Marking System Will Be Tested In Germany

Mercedes-Benz tested a marker with a toska color on the autonomous driving system. (Doc. Mercedes-Benz AG)

JAKARTA - Mercedes-Benz has again made innovations by becoming the first automotive producer to receive approval for a special marker of an autonomous driving system in Germany.

The German state once again underlined its pioneering role in autonomous driving, after becoming the first to allow the operation of a conditional autonomous driving system, SAE-Level 3.

AG's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Development & Purchasing Mercedes-Benz Group, Markus Schafer said the marker was one of the evolutions of the autonomous driving system to create a sense of security for other users on the highway.

"We are taking a holistic approach to the development of autonomous drivers, taking into account the significance of growing aspects as the number of fleets increases. Therefore, the use of markers and communication between vehicles and the surrounding environment is the next milestone for Mercedes-Benz," Schafer said on the brand's official website, Friday, March 7.

The system serves to notify other road users that the autonomous driving system has been activated. It also allows traffic authorities and police to recognize the system's status more easily and determine whether drivers are allowed to engage in other activities during conditional auto driving.

The lights are integrated into the headlights and back as well as side indicators in the outer rear mirror. When the Mercedes-Benz's Drive Pilot system is activated, it will activate the toska colored lights continuously.

This color has met two criteria, first, it can be distinguished from the existing vehicle lights and traffic signs. Thus, this reduces confusion among other road users.

Second, visibility allows reliable and rapid recognition by other road users. Studies with test subjects also show that toska is an optimal color for automated driving that shows that this color performs better than other colors in both physiological and psychological factors.

Not only that, the color of the toska has been included in various standards and draft regulations from SAE J3134, UNECE and China Compulsory Certification.