You may have been informed that Mercedes-Benz has received regulatory approval to begin testing its Level 3 autonomous driving technology on Nevada roadways. As the first automaker in the United States to receive such approval, this is a significant milestone for the business.
Level 3 automation, as defined by SAE International, is the capability of a vehicle to drive itself in certain restricted circumstances for those who are unfamiliar with the term.
Because the activity being carried out by the person seated in the driver’s seat is not regarded as “driving,” the driver is free to take their eyes off the road and engage in other activities during this time.
But it is important to keep in mind that the Mercedes Drive Pilot technology can only operate at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour), so its primary purpose is to be utilized during times of heavy traffic.
Even though this does not necessarily amount to full autonomy, it does make it possible for commuters to check their emails or otherwise divert their attention away from the road.
Lastly, don’t get too excited because the driver must always be awake because the vehicle may ask them to take control at any time. The vehicle will stop abruptly if the driver does not respond within ten seconds.