2020 Mercedes S-class to offer a fully self-driven experience to customers
The trend of automation has taken over the globe. Although legal barriers and technical hurdles are delaying the adoption of self-driven cars, automakers are moving towards the future of autonomous vehicles with the help of assisted self-driving technology. The advanced self-driving technology, the brand is all set to offer their first self-driving system that is capable of allowing drivers to experience a conditional autonomy.
In the Paris Motor Show, Ola Kaellenius, Daimler’s research head and future CEO said that they are on the threshold of moving to Level 3 automation which is their target for the next S-Class. He further added that this is something that customers could buy as an alternative and which could be increased relatively quickly in higher volumes, especially with a brand like Mercedes. According to him, the company is all set to introduce the technology to the brands flagship model before seeping down to other lower segment vehicles.
With its greater competitor Audi that debuted the world’s first eyes-off Level 3 system in their new A8 sedan, this technology would give Mercedes an advantage in gaining a considerable place while competing with the car introduced by former.
Daimler is utilizing the dual track approach when it comes to self-driving technology. While doing this, it is evolving the Level 2 hands-off assistance technology to a level where the driver does not require the need to monitor the road at all times. It is also working on the development of a completely autonomous vehicle for mobility service providers that operate robotaxi carriers, which is being done in collaboration with Robert Bosch.
Currently running vehicles in the market have advanced versions of Level 2 assistance systems, for instance, the system such as Tesla’s Autopilot and Super Cruise by General Motor. Drivers driving vehicles with these systems cannot take their eyes off the road and need to be prepared to take back the control of the vehicle at any point of time.
While the Level 3 system promises next-generation driving experience, various regulations are imposed over the cars with such systems owing to the safety risks associated with them. Hence, Level 3 systems have limited application, where only Germany has legalized the transfer of motorist operations to the computers onboard.