Mercedes-Benz Gets Approval for Hands-Free Driving Ahead of Tesla

Mercedes-Benz has received approval for autonomous driving in Germany.

Mercedes-Benz Gets Approval for Hands-Free Driving Ahead of Tesla
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz by Daimler AG just recently won approval to deploy a hands-free driving system in Germany. And interestingly, the luxury vehicles company got the approval before Tesla, hence getting an edge over the EV giant.



Mercedes-Benz

Now, Mercedes-Benz can sell the Drive Pilot package for use on the Autobahn network, up to the speed of 60 km/h. Furthermore, the system got its approval for level 3 driving. On the other hand, Tesla’s Autopilot system stands at level 2. Based on that, Mercedes-Benz drivers may not actively need the steering wheel in slow traffic.

 

Regarding this, representatives from Mercedes-Benz stated, “Drive Pilot enables the driver to turn away from the traffic and focus on certain secondary activities.”

They further added, “For example, to communicate with colleagues via the in-car office, to write emails, to surf the Internet or to relax and watch a film.”

 

It has been a while since Tesla has been chasing autonomous driving. Indeed, premium customers would want to pay a high sum for a fully autonomous vehicle. This would enable drivers to engage in entertaining activities and/or work while on the way.

For now, Mercedes-Benz has received approval for autonomous driving in Germany only. However, the company has stated that the next step is to seek approval in other countries. Furthermore, the Drive Pilot feature will come to the EQS and S-Class Mercedes-Benz models from the mid of 2022.

 

Mercedes-Benz has not stated the exact price of the system yet. The system has approval for use around the German highway network spanning 13000 km. Last year, a court in Germany rebuffed the promotion of Tesla Autopilot based on misleading claims.

On the other hand, Elon Musk has been rather optimistic about the capabilities of Tesla. In 2016, Tesla charged thousands of dollars to its customers in return for “full self-driving” features. Yet, it turned out that the Autopilot system still required drivers to stay attentive.

 

Other than Mercedes-Benz, Honda Motor Co. has also received level 3 approval by Japanese regulators for limited production models. In the next few months, Mercedes-Benz shall unveil the exact details of pricing and release of their autopilot system.



Mercedes-Benz receives approval for conditionally automated driving

Mercedes Gets Approval for Hands-Free Driving Ahead of Tesla
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Gets Approval for Hands-Free Driving Ahead of Tesla

Mercedes-Benz Gets Approval for Hands-Free Driving Ahead of Tesla

Mercedes-Benz Gets Approval for Hands-Free Driving Ahead of Tesla

Mercedes-Benz Gets Approval for Hands-Free Driving Ahead of Tesla

 



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