Is Mercedes-Benz About to Leapfrog Tesla with Their Autonomous Driving Tech?
Autonomous driving has long been a playing field dominated by the likes of Tesla, but it appears there's a new contender in town: Mercedes-Benz. Recently, we had the exclusive opportunity to test drive an upcoming autonomous driving system in a fleet of S-Class prototypes at Mercedes-Benz’s Beijing research center. Buckle up, as we dive into the ins and outs of this groundbreaking technology.
The First Impression: Digital Mastery
Upon entering the prototype, the first element that captures attention is an extra digital display. This advanced screen maps all road users within the car’s vicinity, including pedestrians, cyclists, and trucks. The visual clarity and breadth of data are impressive—it’s like seeing an entire microcosm of traffic in real-time. For the tech itself, simplicity and efficacy are front-and-center, a design philosophy that's clearly reflected in its user-friendly interface.
Engage and Go: Simplicity at Its Best
The process of activating the autonomous system is delightfully straightforward. After selecting a destination via the car's navigation system, you can trigger the autonomous mode via a simple button on the steering wheel. It's that easy. As soon as you set off manually, the car transitions smoothly into autonomous mode. No fuss, no elaborate setup.
On the Road in Beijing
Our drive takes us onto a busy four-lane arterial road in southern Beijing. The prototype accelerates up to a manageable 60 kph (37 mph), changing lanes seamlessly without any driver input. The car even decelerates and comes to a halt at a traffic light, positioning itself in the far left-hand lane—a crucial spot for upcoming maneuvers.
Once the light turns green, the car cautiously inches forward toward a major intersection. The prototype halts again, waiting for the oncoming traffic to be stopped by a red light before it executes a flawless U-turn. “The U-turn function is one of the most challenging to program,” notes Magnus Östberg, Mercedes-Benz’s chief software officer. “Not many companies possess the capability to offer this.”
Challenges Yet to Be Tackled
While the drive showcased many of the system's strengths, it wasn't perfect. The software sometimes activated the brakes unexpectedly when other cars swerved in and out of lanes. Additionally, its response to open traffic gaps was somewhat lethargic, prioritizing safety rather than optimal road positioning. “We’re putting the final touches to the software,” admits Östberg. “There is some calibration work to come.”
The Road Ahead
Despite these small hurdles, the 30-minute drive during peak Beijing traffic provided a compelling vision of what Mercedes-Benz's autonomous future could look like. The system displayed a high level of competence, hinting that Mercedes-Benz is closer than ever to realizing their autonomous driving goals. But when will it reach Europe? According to Mercedes-Benz, that decision lies with the policymakers.
There's no denying that autonomous driving is one of the most complex and competitive fields in automotive technology. While Tesla has long been the front-runner, Mercedes-Benz is rapidly closing the gap. It's not just about who gets there first; it's also about who gets there best. And from our drive experience, Mercedes-Benz might just be on the brink of something revolutionary. Watch this space.