Mercedes Struggles to Certify Drive Pilot for 130 km/h Autonomous Driving in Germany
Mercedes is facing challenges in certifying its Drive Pilot system for autonomous driving at speeds of up to 130 km/h in Germany. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) recently approved an increase in the speed limit for autonomous driving to 130 km/h, which has been adopted by over 50 countries, including the European Union (EU) member states. While theoretically, autonomous vehicles can now drive at this speed in Germany, the current speed limit is still at 60 km/h due to the lack of regulations and certifications from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
Moreover, only two models in Germany currently possess the required Level 3 automation for autonomous driving on highways: the S-Class and EQS electric car from Mercedes, equipped with the optional Drive Pilot system. According to reports, Mercedes has not yet set a timeline for certifying and approving Drive Pilot for the new maximum speed of 130 km/h. The automaker is currently focused on developing the necessary parameters and plans to gradually adjust Drive Pilot from 60 km/h to 130 km/h.
Drive Pilot allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while the car autonomously maintains a safe distance and corrects the lane. However, there are still instances where the driver needs to take control, indicating that the system is not yet fully capable of handling all driving scenarios. Mercedes’ efforts to certify Drive Pilot for 130 km/h autonomous driving in Germany are ongoing, and the automaker is expected to provide updates on its progress in the coming months.
