Autonomous driving: Mercedes ahead of Tesla in crucial homologation

(Frankfurt) Mercedes-Benz obtained approval Thursday for its “level 3” autonomous driving system, which allows the driver to look away from the road in certain situations, and will market it before Tesla in 2022.

The manufacturer is “the first global automotive group” to have received authorization to market highly autonomous vehicles compliant with the UN-R157 standard, where local legislation allows, according to a statement from the group.

A “level 3” self-driving car can drive without human intervention in certain specific situations.

In heavy traffic, at 60 km / h

The first customers will be able to buy Mercedes equipped with the driving assistant from the first half of 2022 in Germany, where the use of these vehicles has been integrated into the legislative framework.

The system can then only be used in heavy traffic on motorways, with a maximum speed of 60 km / h.

The device provides that the driver can consult e-mails, browse the Internet or watch a movie on the car’s central screen, but he must be able to intervene at all times if the system asks him to do so. If it does not react within a certain time, the car will stop automatically “safely”.

Tests of the system are particularly underway in the United States and China, notes Daimler.

Autonomous driving currently marketed by Tesla requires an attentive driver at all times, supervising the operations of the on-board computer (called “level 2”).

Elon Musk’s company, a pioneer of electric and autonomous mobility, is also under fire from criticism from the American regulator, who accuses him of having ignored his recommendations on the driving assistance system.