Mercedes Will Soon Allow Hands-Free Driving in Cities, But There's a Catch | Carscoops

Mercedes Will Soon Allow Hands-Free Driving in Cities, But There's a Catch | Carscoops

      Mercedes is preparing to challenge Tesla with its sophisticated Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving system called MB.Drive Assist Pro, which will soon be available in the U.S.

      Set to launch on the CLA later this year, the system features hands-free navigation in urban areas. It will also be available on the GLC EQ.

      The company has shared limited details about the technology, stating that with the push of a button, the vehicle can assist in navigating city streets – from the parking lot to the destination – with advanced SAE-Level 2 support. They also mentioned that MB.Drive Assist Pro is "cooperative," allowing drivers to make "steering adaptations" at any time without deactivating the semi-autonomous features.

      This sounds reminiscent of Tesla's system, and Mercedes indicated that MB.Drive Assist Pro utilizes around 30 different sensors, which include 10 cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. The data from these devices is processed by a highly capable supercomputer, which can achieve up to 508 TOPs.

      While Mercedes didn’t provide further details, Nvidia has filled in some blanks, revealing that the CLA will use its Drive AV software. Nvidia stated that this technology supports "point-to-point urban navigation through complex city environments" and offers "advanced active safety with proactive collision avoidance and automated parking in tight spaces."

      According to Nvidia, the system is designed to drive in a way that mirrors human behavior, capable of following routes, executing turns, and deciding which lane to occupy. The Drive AV can also "understand" vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders, responding proactively by stopping or yielding.

      Although details remain sparse, Car & Driver evaluated MB.Drive Assist Pro and characterized it as a Level 2+ system that enables hands-free point-to-point navigation.

      Drivers are still required to stay alert during operation, with a camera monitoring their attentiveness. The subscription cost for MB.Drive Assist Pro is set at $3,950 for a three-year plan, although a monthly option is also being developed.

      Unfortunately, the lack of clarity appears to stem from regulatory ambiguities, implying that more information won’t be revealed until the technology receives approval from the appropriate authorities.

Mercedes Will Soon Allow Hands-Free Driving in Cities, But There's a Catch | Carscoops Mercedes Will Soon Allow Hands-Free Driving in Cities, But There's a Catch | Carscoops

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Mercedes Will Soon Allow Hands-Free Driving in Cities, But There's a Catch | Carscoops

Mercedes is preparing to compete with Tesla by introducing an advanced Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving system called MB.Drive Assist Pro.