Automated driving is fast becoming a reality. With the Mercedes-Benz Drive-Pilot system, you can travel the roads with the *best current level of assistance and automation. The modern systems incorporated help in many ways to ensure you arrive at your set destination safely and relaxed. In a slow traffic jam, drive-pilot can competently follow traffic, offering you special luxury that comes with the three-pointed emblem beast. Since you’re a definitely important person, you can now use your time for special things.
With drive-pilot, the vehicle position is determined by a highly accurate positioning system which is far beyond any conventional GPS system. This positioning system matches satellite navigation data with sensor data and information from a quality approved HD map. The front Lidar camera radar and ultrasonic sensors can be used for example to detect and verify information on the road geometry, route characteristics such as traffic signs or infrastructure. The intelligent HD map also informs about special traffic events, say accidents or ongoing roadworks.
As soon as you’re cruising on an approved motorway section and the necessary conditions are met you can activate drive-pilot. This includes among other things, vehicles ahead in traffic jam below 60km/hr and a dry road with appropriate lane markings. Drive pilot is operated intuitively by the steering wheel. Status and activities are visualized in the instrument cluster and additionally on the steering wheel. Press a button on the steering wheel to activate drive-pilot, visualized by turquoise lights. Now, you can proceed to take your hands off the steering wheel, take your eyes off the road and turn your attention to other activities. This can prove as valuable time for your in-car office or info-tainment office. Drive-pilot automatically controls braking, accelerating and lane-keeping. The system can reliably handle obstacles on the road, even stationary vehicles. If possible, your Mercedes-Benz will drive around them within it’s own lane. Like in a swarm, drive-pilot uses surrounding vehicles as well as detected lane markings for orientation. As an example to others, your Mercedes forms an emergency corridor early & independently. Emergency crews can pass by as quickly as possible. Drive-pilot can recognise these complex situations and point them out, prompting a take-over request. When you are prompted visually and audibly, you have to take over the car’s controls again. The system can reliably do a lot for you, however, your attention is required as soon as drive-pilot requests you to do so.
In situations where conditions where situations for autonomous driving are not met, such as driving through tunnels, driving where ongoing construction is in progress, in the rain or a night, the drive-pilot is not available.
When the selected route ends, drive-pilot informs you in time about the remaining distance in the instrument cluster. You also get an intuitive cue on the steering wheel to drive yourself again. With drive-pilot, Mercedes-Benz offers you unprecedented technology and takes the next step on the way to autonomous driving.