Mercedes-Benz has become the first international auto brand permitted to test advanced autonomous driving in Beijing. Mercedes-Benz has been certified to begin testing its Level 4 self-driving technology in China. It is the first international automaker to garner approval from local regulators as the German automaker looks to set its lineup apart from stiff competition overseas.
This approval will let Mercedes start trials of its Level 4 self-driving capabilities on Beijing’s highways and urban roads – which means the vehicle can perform all driving tasks within certain conditions with human override still an option.
Some of the moves to be tested include parking, reversing and turning left in busy traffic without driver intervention.
In recent years, the German automaker has made considerable strides in autonomous driving technology, called “Drive Pilot.” There are currently a number of limits on where and how Drive Pilot can be used in the US and Germany, but it is an impressive milestone nonetheless as Mercedes EVs take full control in certain driving situations, taking full responsibility for what happens when the technology is engaged. This is unlike Level 2 autonomous driving, where the driver is still at the helm, so to speak, regarding any mishaps or accidents that may or may not occur.
Mercedes will begin testing Level 4 autonomous driving overseas, setting the stage for another critical milestone as the automaker looks to regain some of the customers it is losing to advanced EVs from Chinese competitors like NIO and XPeng.
According to multiple reports, Chinese regulators in Shanghai have given Mercedes-Benz the green light to begin Drive Pilot Level 4 autonomous driving trials on local urban roads and highways. At Level 4, the technology enables the vehicle to do virtually all of the work, including unprotecting left turns, parking, and reversing.
Mercedes joins competitors like GM, who has been testing self-driving Cadillacs in Shanghai since last year, and soon Tesla, which has been working for ages to bring its full self-driving capabilities to China and should finally do so soon.
Aside from autonomous driving specialists like Baidu, Mercedes looks to use its Level 4 Drive Pilot as a sweetener to Chinese consumers whose eyes have been caught by younger, EV-centric brands offering Level 2 and Level 3 autonomous technology, including XPeng Motors, whose XNGP technology is currently one of the leaders overseas and in the overall passenger EV market.
Sources: electrek.co; businesstimes.com.sg; autonews.autoua.net