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Maybe from general interest:
In the future, the Drive Pilot will be allowed to drive independently on the motorway at 95 km/h. But one important restriction remains.
December 17, 2024
The car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz is allowed to significantly increase the speed limit of its highly automated driving assistant. Instead of the previous 60 km/h, the so-called Drive Pilot will be able to travel at 95 km/h on German motorways in the future. The Federal Motor Transport Authority has issued approval for the higher speed, the company announced on December 17, 2024.
The new version will be available in Germany in spring 2025 in the S-Class and the all-electric EQS. Vehicles that were already using Drive Pilot received a free software update either via the Internet or in the workshop. The hardware does not have to be changed.
The Drive Pilot is a highly automated Level 3 assistance system that allows drivers to perform a secondary activity when activated. Until now, the system could practically only be used in traffic jams or in slow-moving traffic. In the future, this would also be possible outside traffic jams, for example on routes such as the Berlin city motorway, for which a speed limit of 80 km/h applies.
However, the system only works if the Drive Pilot detects a vehicle in front. On the open road, the drivers have to take over the steering again. According to Mercedes, the vehicle must also be in the right-hand lane. This is not necessary at lower speeds of up to 60 km/h.
The price for the optional equipment is at least 5,950 euros, as before. Depending on the basic equipment, additional packages may be required for the EQS electric sedan, so that the system costs almost 14,000 euros, according to the configurator.
Highly automated systems with a speed of up to 130 km/h are already legally permitted in Germany. Mercedes-Benz aims to reach this mark by the end of the decade. In this context, the manufacturer is committed to ensuring that other road users can see from the outside whether a Mercedes is driving in self-driving mode. In some US states , turquoise marker lights may already be used for this purpose.
The planned increase in the maximum speed to 95 km/h does not cancel out the numerous other restrictions of the Drive Pilot. The list of system limits is long and includes 20 points in the "Additional Drive Pilot Instructions". For example, the system does not work in the event of defective or dirty sensors, a malfunctioning navigation system, a detected hazard or in the dark, low outside temperatures of less than 3 degrees Celsius or precipitation.
Other exclusion criteria are a roof rack, switched on high beam or a trailer or bicycle rack. In the practical test of Golem.de , the Drive Pilot from Mercedes was not convincing because of the numerous restrictions and unexpected deactivations.
Mercedes-Benz is also refraining from offering a system according to automation level 2, in which the hands no longer have to touch the steering wheel regularly. The manufacturers BMW and Ford have already received KBA approval for such systems."
"KBA approval received
Mercedes-Benz is allowed to drive autonomously faster
In the future, the Drive Pilot will be allowed to drive independently on the motorway at 95 km/h. But one important restriction remains.
December 17, 2024
The car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz is allowed to significantly increase the speed limit of its highly automated driving assistant. Instead of the previous 60 km/h, the so-called Drive Pilot will be able to travel at 95 km/h on German motorways in the future. The Federal Motor Transport Authority has issued approval for the higher speed, the company announced on December 17, 2024.
The new version will be available in Germany in spring 2025 in the S-Class and the all-electric EQS. Vehicles that were already using Drive Pilot received a free software update either via the Internet or in the workshop. The hardware does not have to be changed.
Can only be used in the right lane
The Drive Pilot is a highly automated Level 3 assistance system that allows drivers to perform a secondary activity when activated. Until now, the system could practically only be used in traffic jams or in slow-moving traffic. In the future, this would also be possible outside traffic jams, for example on routes such as the Berlin city motorway, for which a speed limit of 80 km/h applies.
However, the system only works if the Drive Pilot detects a vehicle in front. On the open road, the drivers have to take over the steering again. According to Mercedes, the vehicle must also be in the right-hand lane. This is not necessary at lower speeds of up to 60 km/h.
The price for the optional equipment is at least 5,950 euros, as before. Depending on the basic equipment, additional packages may be required for the EQS electric sedan, so that the system costs almost 14,000 euros, according to the configurator.
130 km/h by the end of the decade
Highly automated systems with a speed of up to 130 km/h are already legally permitted in Germany. Mercedes-Benz aims to reach this mark by the end of the decade. In this context, the manufacturer is committed to ensuring that other road users can see from the outside whether a Mercedes is driving in self-driving mode. In some US states , turquoise marker lights may already be used for this purpose.
The planned increase in the maximum speed to 95 km/h does not cancel out the numerous other restrictions of the Drive Pilot. The list of system limits is long and includes 20 points in the "Additional Drive Pilot Instructions". For example, the system does not work in the event of defective or dirty sensors, a malfunctioning navigation system, a detected hazard or in the dark, low outside temperatures of less than 3 degrees Celsius or precipitation.
No hands-free system yet
Other exclusion criteria are a roof rack, switched on high beam or a trailer or bicycle rack. In the practical test of Golem.de , the Drive Pilot from Mercedes was not convincing because of the numerous restrictions and unexpected deactivations.
Mercedes-Benz is also refraining from offering a system according to automation level 2, in which the hands no longer have to touch the steering wheel regularly. The manufacturers BMW and Ford have already received KBA approval for such systems."
