The new
Automatic Lane Change (ALC) function represents an intelligent further
development of the Mercedes-Benz autonomous driving level 2 driver assistance
systems in Europe, often referred to as level 2+. This function allows you to
automatically overtake slower vehicles and change lanes completely
autonomously.
Mercedes-Benz
is currently working on adapting this function to specific traffic situations
in Europe. The function is expected to be available on the market coinciding
with the delivery of the first units of the new E-Class. However, it is already
offered in this model, in the C-Class and in the S-Class in the United States
and Canada.
Available
on specific roads
Automatic
lane change will only be activated on roads with specific characteristics,
highway type, lane markings, and structurally separated directional lanes.
With
this new function, the German brand continues to advance in the development of
driving assistance technologies to offer a more comfortable and safer driving
experience for its customers. The addition of Automatic Lane Change extends the
capabilities of Level 2 assistance systems and represents a step forward in
autonomous driving.
Importantly,
while this feature allows for autonomous lane changing, the driver is still
responsible for supervising driving and being ready to take control if
necessary, as Level 2 systems still require active driver input to ensure safe
and legal driving.
The ALC
function is part of the DISTRONIC active assistance system with active steering
assistance. If a slower vehicle is ahead, the vehicle can initiate a lane
change on its own in the speed range of 80 to 140 km/h and overtake fully
automatically if lane markings are detected and sufficient clearance is
available.
Prerequisite:
MBUX Navigation from Mercedes-Benz
The
prerequisite is a road with a speed limit and that the vehicle is equipped with
the MBUX Navigation system. The sophisticated system does not require any
additional intervention from the driver to execute automatic lane change.
With
active route guidance, the system also assists in navigation for exits and
changes on the highway. Since in a level 2 system, the responsibility remains
with the driver even during automatic lane change, Mercedes-Benz has decided
that hands should remain on the wheel. Safety is Mercedes Benz's top priority,
and this includes ensuring that there is no confusion, for example, due to false
expectations.
At SAE
Level 2, Mercedes-Benz relies on DISTRONIC active assistance with Active
Steering Assist in partially automated driving, supporting the driver with
steering at speeds of up to 210 km/h. The system can be activated on all types
of roads.
Works
even with hard-to-see marks
A
special feature: At speeds below 130 km/h, the steering assistant also works
with hard-to-see road markings. The DISTRONIC system, for its part,
automatically regulates speed, adjusting the distance to the vehicle in front
and helping to resume driving in slow traffic situations.
With
DRIVE PILOT, Mercedes-Benz offers the world's first and only system with
internationally valid type approval for highly automated driving (SAE level 3).
It allows customers to hand over driving tasks to the system under certain
conditions in situations of heavy traffic or congestion on suitable highway
sections up to a speed of 60 km/h.
In this
way, customers recover valuable time and can concentrate on certain secondary
activities. DRIVE PILOT has been available in Germany for the S-Class and
E-Class models since May 2022. Mercedes-Benz has also become the first car
manufacturer to receive the corresponding type of approval in the US states of
California and Nevada.
DRIVE
PILOT will be available in the US market as optional equipment for the 2024
S-Class and E-Class models. The first vehicles are expected to be delivered to
customers in late 2023.
Mercedes-Benz, a pioneer in safety
The
automaker has always set the standard in vehicle safety with technical
innovations and is considered a pioneer of safe 'manual' driving. Whether it
was ABS (1978, S-Class W116), driver airbags in combination with belt
tensioners (1981, S-Class W126) or ESP® (1995, S-Class C140), Mercedes-Benz was
the first brand to introduce numerous innovations in vehicle safety to the
market.
The
same is true of driving assistance systems: Mercedes Benz was the first to
introduce the DISTRONIC proximity control system (1998, S-Class W220), which is
now an SAE Level 1 system. The three-pointed star mark has also been setting
the standard for SAE Level 2 features for many years.
Mercedes-Benz
is also committed to safety and reliability in highly automated driving (SAE
level 3). For this reason, DRIVE PILOT is based on a systems architecture that
allows us to safely manage any situation that may arise, at any time. The four
main areas of the system architecture include the braking system, steering,
propulsion, and parts of the sensor system.
Here,
in particular, the use of LiDAR is indispensable along with radar and cameras.
The situational deficits of one sensor can be compensated for by the
characteristics of the others. With this safety-focused system design,
Mercedes-Benz is setting entirely new standards in automated driving.
0 Comments