Mercedes-Benz announced plans to enhance its automated driving system, enabling cars to drive autonomously at speeds of up to 95 kilometers per hour on German

motorways under certain conditions.

Pending certification from Germany’s motor transport authority, expected by the end of 2024, sales of the upgraded DRIVE PILOT system are set to begin next year, the automaker said on Monday.

The system allows the car to take control of driving when it has clear visibility and another vehicle is in front. This enables drivers to take their hands off the wheel for extended periods, though they are expected to be ready to take over within seconds if necessary. Existing Mercedes vehicles equipped with the technology will receive a free upgrade from the current limit of 60 kph to the new 95 kph capability.

Autonomous driving is categorized into five levels, ranging from basic cruise control (Level 1) to fully autonomous vehicles (Level 5). With this upgrade, Mercedes cars will operate at Level 3 on German roads, where the system manages driving but still requires human intervention when needed.

To signal the car is in autonomous mode, Mercedes has installed a turquoise light on the front of cars equipped with the DRIVE PILOT system, which activates when the system is engaged. The automaker is pushing for this color to be standardized across the industry for clearer identification.

Mercedes-Benz aims to eventually increase the system's operational speed to 130 kph, although no timeline has been provided for this goal.

The company has also conducted tests for its Level 3 system in Beijing and has already received approval to use it on designated highways in California and Nevada in the U.S. Mercedes Chief Technology Officer Markus Schaefer noted that China is highly focused on safety and detailed data analysis but expects Level 3 systems to be approved for wider use there quickly, predicting rapid market growth once approved.

"We know how quickly the market moves in China," Schaefer remarked, expressing confidence in the future expansion of autonomous driving in the region. Photo by Rl91, Wikimedia commons.