The news article discusses Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot, a Level 3 automated driving system that has been approved for sale in Europe and the US. Unlike Level 2 systems, which require the driver to be in full control and paying attention, Drive Pilot allows for hands-free, eyes-off driving at speeds up to 40 mph in traffic jam situations on highways. The system will initially launch in California and Nevada, as these are the first two states to approve it. However, Drive Pilot can only be used when specific conditions are met, such as having a vehicle in front, readable road markings, clear weather and light conditions, and auto settings for headlights and wipers.

Furthermore, Drive Pilot is only available on freeways that have been mapped by Mercedes, with precise GPS positioning. It cannot be used in construction zones, and the system relies on data from local agencies to detect upcoming construction zones. Mercedes takes full legal liability when Drive Pilot is activated, which is a significant advancement for autonomous technology. The responsibility no longer lies solely with the driver, as long as the system is used as designed. The system has already been available to customers in Germany for over a year, and there have been no reported accidents.

In terms of visual cues, Mercedes-Benz EQS and S-Class vehicles equipped with Drive Pilot feature a pair of lidar sensors in the grille. These sensors play a crucial role in enabling the system’s functionality.

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