Mercedes self-driving cars | Germany Allows Level Three Self-Driving: Now Germans Can Do Something Else Behind The Wheel

Germany has given the green light to the new Mercedes-Benz system for self-driving cars.

The car ride, where everyone in the car does everything except drive it, but where the car itself drives, has been science fiction for a long time, but it’s a utopia here in the real world.

German authorities have now allowed Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot system to take control and responsibility for the car on German roads – that is, level three autonomous driving, he writes among other things. Forbes. It will happen in the new year 2022.

Level 3 driving will be permitted under certain conditions. Drivers will then be able to drop the steering wheel, drop their eyes off the road, and do something else, like find the computer and answer emails, or find Nettavisen on their cell phone and read an article like this one.

Initially, Drive Pilot was installed in the most expensive Mercedes S-class. Perhaps the reason is that the technology required to take charge of driving Mercedes-Benz is not cheap.

self-driving cars

At first glance, this technology may look a little different than the technology found in many cars today. For several years, various ADAS systems have helped drivers steer a vehicle.

Adaptive cruise control means the vehicle maintains a constant distance from the vehicle in front, and sends signals that the vehicle should brake or drive faster. Other systems help you keep coil on the road or on the brakes in an emergency.

From level 2 to level 3

BUT: So far, autopilot systems have never allowed the car to take responsibility for driving, although in some cases this has already happened – as in this case where The driver of a Tesla car fell asleep behind the wheel, while the car was traveling at a speed of 150 km / h.

The usual autopilot systems today are Level Two. Although the cars themselves control the speed and direction, the driver has always been in charge. Even if emergency braking systems stop the car if something unexpected happens in front of it, it is the driver’s responsibility if the car continues to hit the unexpected.

The third level, autonomous driving, transfers responsibility to the vehicle manufacturer. This means that the driver can do completely different things while following the road, such as answering messages or making a conference call.

To allow level three driving, vehicle monitoring and traffic analysis must be on a different level than level two of autonomous driving. Mercedes-Benz, as the first in Germany, has now received approval for the Drive Pilot system for use in Level 3 driving. The systems use various sensors such as radar and cameras to monitor the surroundings, and a computer that makes a choice to drive rather than the driver.

Also to Norway

In 2020, the United Nations agency UNECE adopted international rules for vehicles that allow level 3 driving under certain conditions. The Norwegian Roads Directorate has adapted these regulations to Norwegian roads, so that level 3 driving is also permitted in Norway. TU wrote this article on this topic last year.

The regulations apply to ALKS “Automated Lane Keeping Systems”, or Automatic File Holder Systems. When ALKS is activated in the vehicle, responsibility for driving is transferred from the driver to the vehicle/vehicle manufacturer.

The regulations state that driving level 3 may apply when using the ALKS less than 60 kilometers per hour. In Germany, the authorities have opened the third level for driving on highways with heavy traffic. The idea is that it should be able to activate when queuing at low speed.

Level 4 and 5

Although Mercedes-Benz is now taking the car journey to a new level, there is still a long way to go before we allow the car itself to take us from A to B. Although the third level now allows drivers in certain situations to take them off the road and make things For others, they still have to prepare to take charge.

At level four, drivers will be able to completely separate their minds from driving, at least for parts of the car’s journey. Thus, the aforementioned Tesla driver can sleep behind the wheel of a Level 4 car. The cars will then be equipped with technology that will allow them to handle any situation that may arise while driving.

On level five – the highest level imagined for self-driving cars to date – the steering wheel and pedals aren’t necessary, but are thought to be almost extra accessories for nostalgic drivers who love to drive themselves.

The car will be able to drive on its own from A to B. It’s a long way to go. Not only is the lack of technology today, but the legislation about who should be responsible for what happens on the road isn’t set up for such everyday life either.