Mercedes-Benz is making significant progress in the development of its autonomous driving technology, as demonstrated during a recent test drive in Beijing. Autocar had the opportunity to experience the technology firsthand in one of Mercedes-Benz’s S-Class prototypes. The most noticeable feature of the autonomous driving system is the extra digital display, which provides a detailed map of all road users in the vicinity of the car.
The simplicity of the technology is one of its key strengths. After setting a destination through the navigation system, the car can be switched into autonomous mode with the press of a button on the steering wheel. During the test drive, the car seamlessly navigated a busy four-lane road, accelerating up to the speed limit and changing lanes without any input from the driver.
At a traffic light, the prototype came to a stop in the far left-hand lane, strategically positioning itself for the next part of the journey. When the light turned green, the car cautiously moved forward until it reached a major intersection. Sensing oncoming traffic, the prototype halted again, demonstrating its ability to prioritize safety. Once the oncoming traffic stopped at a red light, the car continued its route by performing a U-turn.
According to Magnus Östberg, Mercedes-Benz’s chief software officer, programming the U-turn function was particularly challenging. He mentioned that not many companies have the expertise to offer this capability. However, there were some bugs discovered during the test drive. Occasionally, the system would apply the brakes abruptly when other cars changed lanes, and it was slow to respond when traffic cleared. These issues are being addressed as Mercedes-Benz puts the final touches on the software.
Despite these minor setbacks, the 30-minute test drive during Beijing’s rush hour demonstrated that Mercedes-Benz is close to achieving its goal of fully autonomous driving. The company stated that the timeline for bringing this technology to Europe depends on political factors, indicating that they are ready to deploy it as soon as regulations allow.
The progress made by Mercedes-Benz in autonomous driving technology is significant not only for the automotive industry but also for society as a whole. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation by improving safety, reducing congestion, and increasing efficiency. As more companies invest in this technology and overcome its challenges, we can expect to see autonomous vehicles become a common sight on roads around the world in the near future.
