Mercedes-Benz has decided to temporarily pause the introduction of its Drive Pilot, a ‘eyes off’ conditionally automated driving feature available in Europe and the US. The revised S-Class, set to launch at the end of this month, will not include the Level 3 system, as reported by The Verge. Mercedes was among the first automakers to provide a Level 3 driving system, offering hands-free, eyes-off driving at speeds up to 40mph in traffic jams on highways with the Drive Pilot feature. This capability allowed drivers to divert their attention away from the road, a notable advancement from the Level 2 systems seen in other vehicles.
However, Mercedes has decided to temporarily suspend the feature due to limited demand and the high costs associated with its development. In place of Level 3, Mercedes is gearing up to introduce a new Level 2++ feature called Drive Pilot Assist, which will be deployed later this year. This new system, similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, allows driving assistance in urban areas but mandates driver attentiveness.
Mercedes spokesperson Tobias Mueller stated that the decision was driven by a focus on customer benefits, expressing that another system with greater advantages for customers is expected in the next few years. The Drive Pilot’s limitations in customer appeal were primarily attributed to its operational design domain, which defines the specific circumstances and criteria necessary for its operation.
Source: The Verge