ROME (ITALPRESS) – Mercedes-Benz is introducing the next version of Drive Pilot for conditional automated driving (Sae-Level 3)in Germany. This evolutionary upgrade is now capable of following a vehicle on the highway at speeds of up to 95 km/h, which is a significantly greater benefit to customers. The necessary recertification by the German Federal Motor Transport Authority is scheduled for the end of 2024, after which sales can begin in early 2025. The price of the Drive Pilot will remain unchanged. Customer vehicles already equipped with Drive Pilot will be able to be upgraded free of charge. Depending on the model, the update can be done wirelessly as an over-the-air (OTA) update or via a workshop ride. No vehicle components need to be changed. Drive Pilot will then be the world’s highest speed-ready Level 3 system in a production vehicle. “With this updated version of Drive Pilot, Mercedes-Benz once again underscores its role as a pioneer in automated driving. It will soon be possible to activate conditional automated driving up to 95 km/h in flowing traffic under certain conditions on the German Autobahn. This will enable our customers to make even more efficient use of their time. Mercedes-Benz is once again setting industry standards and steadily paving the way toward autonomous driving,” stresses Markus Schafer, member of the Board of Directors of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Purchasing. Using Drive Pilot at a higher speed offers customers significantly more use cases: Drive Pilot can be used in flowing traffic conditions in the right lane of a highway while following a vehicle ahead. The already available option of using the system in heavy traffic conditions and during traffic jams on appropriate highways will remain. During automated conditional driving, the task of driving can be given to the system, allowing customers to use their time more efficiently. They can choose to engage in some secondary activities such as working, surfing the Internet, watching TV or even streaming a movie through services such as Ridevu from Sony Pictures Entertainment. This latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz app portfolio is now available to customers of certain models in selected markets. (ITALPRESS).-Photo: Mercedes-Benz press office-
