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German automotive manufacturer, Daimler AG, said on Wednesday that the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the world’s first standard-production vehicle to be awarded a test licence for autonomous driving in the US state of Nevada.
The company, which also scored a world first through this feat, and also in time for the leading trade fair for consumer technology Consumer Electronics Show “CES” in Las Vegas, said three standard-production E-Class vehicles have been approved to drive themselves.
To allow autonomous driving functions to be tested, test vehicles previously had to be elaborately equipped with special hardware and software. This included additional sensors, modified steering and an adapted ESP.
According to a statement issued Wednesday in Stuttgart and Las Vegas, Daimler AG said that is no longer the case with the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class as the standard-production vehicle is already extensively equipped with intelligent technology. This means that, for testing purposes, it is necessary merely to make some smaller software modifications to the DRIVE PILOT control unit.
Speaking on the development, Prof. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, said: “The fact that Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first vehicle manufacturer to be awarded such a licence shows that we are a step ahead when it comes to autonomous Driving,” adding “The new E-Class is therefore another big step to the fully automated vehicle. ”
Elated at the development, the Governor of the State of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, said : “Nevada is proud to serve as the location where Daimler, an international automotive leader, can explore and test the possibilities of its cutting-edge autonomous vehicle,” adding “By collaborating with revolutionary, sustainable and creative endeavors Nevada is working to be at the forefront of emerging innovative technologies.”
Self-driving tests are permitted on all interstates and state highways in Nevada, human drivers being required only for turning, merging and departing. The autonomous test drives in everyday traffic will be carried out by specially trained test drivers. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) rules also stipulate that there must be one passenger behind the wheel and a second passenger in the vehicle on test drives. The test vehicles are identified by a red licence plate reserved for autonomous driving.
Nevada passed regulations on autonomous driving back in June 2011 and is seen as a pioneer. The desert state’s road network, landscape and traffic volume are highly representative of road conditions in the USA. Two self-driving Daimler trucks have been in operation on public roads since May 2015.
Meanwhile, ahead of its world premiere in just a few days time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit., the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is already celebrating its unique features . With this intelligent executive saloon, Mercedes-Benz is also heralding a new era in networking and digitalisation as visitors to the ongoing CES in Las Vegas with a sneak preview of the infotainment system of the new E-Class, are learning all there is to know about the innovative infotainment system exclusively in advance as the car marks a milestone in the transformation of the classic control and display concept into the Digital User Experience.
