Mercedes-Benz gets globally valid system approval for conditionally automated driving

MANILA: Mercedes-Benz is the first carmaker to meet the stringent legal standards of UN-R157 for a Level 3 system.

On the basis of the technical approval regulation UN-R157, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has given system approval for this, creating opportunities for supplying such a system globally, assuming that national legislation permits it. With the opening of the Road Traffic Act (StVG) for Level 3 systems in 2017, Germany has taken the lead in this area. As a result, the first customers will be able to purchase an S-Class with Drive Pilot in the first half of 2022, allowing them to drive in conditionally automated mode at speeds of up to 60kph on approved highway segments in Germany. The Drive Pilot helps relieve driver fatigue and allows them to undertake secondary tasks on the central display, such as online shopping or sending emails from them in-car office. The EQS is likewise covered by the system approval.

In a statement, Mercedes-Benz AG Chief Technology Officer Markus Schafer said, “For many years, we have been working to realize our vision of automated driving. With this LiDAR-based system, we have developed an innovative technology for our vehicles that offers customers a unique, luxurious driving experience and gives them what matters most: time. With the approval of the authorities, we have now achieved a breakthrough: We are the first manufacturer to put conditionally automated driving into series production in Germany. With this milestone, we are once again proving our pioneering work in automated driving and also initiating a radical paradigm shift. For the first time in 136 years of automotive history, the vehicle takes over the dynamic driving task under certain conditions. At the same time, we are pleased that Germany is continuing its pioneering role in automated driving with this approval.”

Drive Pilot will be initially available on 8,197 km of highway in Germany. Extensive testing of these systems is already taking place in the United States and China. The technology will be phased in as soon as a national legal framework for conditionally automated operation in further markets is established.

Drive Pilot can offer to take over the driving on eligible highway portions and when traffic congestion is high, initially up to the legally permissible speed of 37mph. The controls for this are on the left and right sides of the steering wheel rim, above the thumb recesses. When the driver selects Drive Pilot, the system automatically controls the vehicle’s speed and distance while smoothly guiding it inside its line. The route profile, events that occur along the route, and traffic signs are all taken into account. Unexpected traffic conditions are also handled by the system.

Aside from the Driving Assistance Package’s surround sensors, Drive Pilot also includes additional sensors that Mercedes-Benz considers essential for safe, conditionally automated driving. These include LiDAR, a camera in the rear window, microphones, and a motion sensor in the wheel well, all of which are used to detect blue lights and other signals from emergency vehicles. A digital HD map provides information about the road geometry, route profile, traffic signs, and unusual traffic incidents (such as accidents and roadworks). A backend connection is used to make this available and updated. Supplemental steering and braking systems, as well as a supplemental on-board electrical system, are included in the S-Class with the optional Drive Pilot, ensuring that the vehicle continues to be maneuverable even if one of these systems malfunctions.

If the driver does not take back control even after increasingly urgent prompting and expiry of the takeover time, the system brakes the vehicle in a controlled and appropriate manner. At the same time, the hazard warning gets activated and the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system is triggered, as well as the doors and windows, to provide an easy access to the interior for any responders.

When it comes to developing a system, Mercedes-Benz prioritizes safety, which includes high demands on operational reliability. An incredibly accurate positioning system is used to identify the exact location of the S-Class. This is a far more powerful technology than traditional GPS. Furthermore, satellite navigation data is linked with sensor data and sensor from an HD map. Sensor data obtained by LiDAR, camera, radar, and ultrasonic sensors, can include road geometry, route parameters, landmarks, and traffic signs.

The HD map displays a three-dimensional view of the street and surrounding area. The map data is regularly updated and stored in back-end data centers. Each vehicle also keeps an image of this map data on board, compares it to the backend data, and updates the local data set as needed. As a result, the HD map provides stable positioning by providing a representation of the surroundings. It also contains data on road geometry and special traffic occurrences, such as roadwork. What makes this high-precision map different from navigation device maps is its meticulous attention to the inch-by-inch range, as well as its precise intersection and track model.

The advanced software features required for conditionally automated driving are provided by a powerful central control unit. Important algorithms are calculated within the scope of modern security architecture.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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