At CES earlier this January, Mercedes announced that it would become the first car company to achieve certification from the SAE for a Level 3 driver assist system. That became official on Thursday when the automaker confirmed its Drive Pilot ADAS (automated driver assist system) now complies with the requirements of Nevada Chapter 482A, which governs the use of autonomous vehicle technology on the state's roads. That makes Drive Pilot the only legal Level 3 system in the US for the moment.
"An unwavering commitment to innovation has consistently guided Mercedes-Benz from the very beginning," Dimitris Psillakis, President and CEO of MBUSA, said in Thursday's press statement. "It is a very proud moment for everyone to continue this leadership and celebrate this monumental achievement as the first automotive company to be certified for Level 3 conditionally automated driving in the US market."
Level 3 capabilities, as defined by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration…
2023-01-27 15:10:21
Source from www.engadget.com Mercedes recently became the first car manufacturer in the United States to gain certification for Level-3 autonomous vehicles. Level-3 autonomy refers to the development of self-driving cars that are capable of operating with minimal input from a human driver. The approval from the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for testing of Mercedes’ fully automated driving systems was a major step forward for the automaker.
Unlike Level-2 autonomy, Level-3 vehicles allow for the driver to disengage from the driving task entirely and allow the car to take full control of navigating and maneuvering. Although the approval from the US government only applies to testing, the certification gives Mercedes the opportunity to explore Level-3 development, paving the way for fully automated vehicles in the future.
Mercedes’ approval stands in contrast to General Motors’ Cruise, who has yet to gain approval from the US government to test its self-driving car technology. Despite this, there is a great potential for competition between the companies, as each seeks to develop the highest level of autonomy.
Thus far, Mercedes’ focused its attention on Level-4 vehicle automation, which involves the development of cars that are completely capable of operating on their own. Although this is far from a reality, the automaker has taken a big step forward in becoming the only US certified Level-3 car company.
Mercedes’ certification is an important milestone for the manufacturer, and could very well be the beginning of a new era of transportation. With greater access to self-driving car technology, consumers could soon have access to a smarter, safer, and more efficient form of travel.
In the coming years, it is likely that Mercedes’ Level-3 certifications will pave the way for further advancements in autonomous car technology. For now, we will have to wait and see what the company achieves in the future.
