Mercedes-Benz is making significant strides in the realm of automated driving, achieving a world-first by securing approvals for specialized exterior marker lights designed for automated driving systems in both California and Nevada. This landmark achievement underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to innovation and its leadership in shaping the future of driving. These permits mark a crucial step forward in enhancing the interaction between automated vehicles and human drivers, paving the way for greater public acceptance and road safety as we move towards a more automated driving experience with Mercedes-Benz.
These groundbreaking permits, granted in key US states, allow Mercedes-Benz to explore and implement turquoise-colored marker lights on vehicles equipped with automated driving functionalities. California’s permit is specifically for testing purposes on freeways and is valid for two years, while Nevada’s permit is even more progressive, allowing for the integration of these marker lights into production vehicles, starting with the 2026 model year EQS and S-Class DRIVE PILOT vehicles, and continuing until legislative modifications are enacted. This distinction highlights the regulatory confidence in Mercedes-Benz’s technology and its potential for real-world application in driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Enhancing Road Safety and Public Trust in Automated Driving
The integration of these special exterior lights is not merely an aesthetic addition; it’s a strategic move to foster transparency and trust in automated driving technology. The turquoise marker lights serve as a clear visual signal to other road users, indicating when the vehicle’s automated driving system is engaged. This is particularly crucial for traffic law enforcement and emergency services, enabling them to readily identify the operational status of the vehicle and understand when drivers are permitted to engage in secondary activities during conditionally automated journeys. By clearly communicating the vehicle’s driving mode, Mercedes-Benz aims to enhance road safety for everyone, not just those driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but all road users interacting with them.
This initiative directly addresses a key aspect of public perception surrounding automated vehicles. By making the automated driving status visually apparent, Mercedes-Benz is proactively working to demystify the technology and build confidence among the public. This transparent approach is essential for the widespread adoption of automated driving systems and for ensuring that driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with such technology is perceived as safe and trustworthy.
DRIVE PILOT: Leading the Charge in Conditionally Automated Driving
The first application of these innovative marker lights will be within Mercedes-Benz’s DRIVE PILOT system. DRIVE PILOT stands out as the world’s first and only certified system for conditionally automated driving at SAE Level 3 in both the US (California and Nevada) and Germany. This certification is a testament to the advanced capabilities and reliability of DRIVE PILOT, positioning Mercedes-Benz at the forefront of automated driving technology. The production-ready version of DRIVE PILOT has already debuted on roads in California and Nevada with a limited fleet of EQS Sedans, marking a tangible step towards making this technology accessible to consumers who are interested in driving Mercedes-Benz with cutting-edge automation.
Customer deliveries of DRIVE PILOT-equipped 2024 model year EQS Sedan and S-Class models are slated to begin in early 2024 through authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships in California and Nevada. This imminent availability means that drivers will soon be able to experience the future of driving Mercedes-Benz with Level 3 automation, further solidifying Mercedes-Benz’s position as a leader in automotive innovation and luxury.
The Science Behind Turquoise: Choosing the Optimal Color for Automated Driving
The selection of turquoise as the color for these marker lights was not arbitrary. Mercedes-Benz conducted thorough research and testing to determine the most effective color for communicating automated driving status. Two key factors drove the choice of turquoise: its high visibility and its distinctiveness. Turquoise is easily and quickly detectable by the human eye, ensuring that the signal is reliably perceived by other road users. Furthermore, turquoise stands out from existing vehicle lighting colors, such as red, amber, and white, as well as traffic signals and emergency lighting, minimizing the potential for confusion.
Extensive studies have confirmed that turquoise is indeed the optimal color for automated driving markers. Both physiological and psychological evaluations have indicated that turquoise outperforms other colors across a range of metrics. This scientific validation, coupled with the industry-recommended practice outlined in SAE J3134 “ADS Marker Lamps,” reinforces turquoise as the ideal choice for visually representing the activation of an automated driving system in driving Mercedes-Benz vehicles and across the industry.
Paving the Way for Global Standardization and Enhanced Safety
Mercedes-Benz is not only focused on implementing this technology in its vehicles but is also actively advocating for the standardization of turquoise marker lights for automated driving on a global scale. The company believes that establishing a universal standard for visualizing automated driving status is crucial for fostering widespread understanding, acceptance, and, most importantly, enhanced safety for all road users worldwide.
While California and Nevada have taken a pioneering step with these exemptions, there is currently no overarching regulatory framework in the US, China, or the UN-ECE for the use of turquoise lights in production vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is committed to working with regulatory bodies to establish a globally harmonized regulation. This unified approach will not only promote consistent communication across different regions but will also serve as a foundation for further technological advancements in automated driving, ultimately making driving Mercedes-Benz and all vehicles safer and more intuitive in the future.
Mercedes-Benz continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and the future of mobility. By pioneering the use of specialized marker lights for automated driving, Mercedes-Benz is not just enhancing its vehicles; it’s actively shaping a safer and more transparent future for driving on roads worldwide.
