Mercedes-Benz has achieved a significant milestone in autonomous driving technology, becoming the first foreign automaker to secure a permit for conducting Level 4 (L4) autonomous driving tests on urban roads and highways in Beijing. This permission marks an advancement from the Level 3 (L3) testing approval the company received late last year.
Extensive Testing and Advanced Capabilities
Mercedes-Benz announced on August 2 that it would deploy two specially retrofitted S-Class sedans equipped with advanced sensor arrays, including lidar, millimeter-wave radar, and cameras, to facilitate these tests. The vehicles will navigate Beijing’s complex urban landscape and highways autonomously, handling tasks such as parking, lane changes, and navigating roundabouts without human intervention.
L4 autonomous vehicles can perform most driving tasks independently, though a driver can still request control if necessary. These tests aim to evaluate the multi-sensor perception systems of high-level autonomous driving and their performance under extreme conditions. Mercedes-Benz’s research also focuses on the integration of perception and regulation to enhance safety and efficiency.
China’s Autonomous Driving Landscape
China has been progressively opening its urban and highway roads for autonomous vehicle testing. Beijing’s high-level autonomous driving demonstration zone, established in September 2020, serves as a hub for more than 20 autonomous driving companies and automakers, including Baidu, Pony, and Didi. This zone features over 800 autonomous vehicles ranging from delivery and shuttle vehicles to patrol cars.
Other cities like Hangzhou and Shenzhen have also expanded their testing areas significantly. Hangzhou now offers 3,474 km² across eight urban districts for autonomous vehicle testing, while Shenzhen boasts 944 km of open road for autonomous driving.
Comparison with Global Competitors
While Mercedes-Benz makes strides in China, other global players like Tesla are still awaiting approval for their Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems in the region. Elon Musk expressed optimism that FSD would receive approval in China and Europe this year, with the expectation that Tesla’s Robotaxi service could launch by 2025. Despite Musk’s early predictions of achieving Level 5 autonomy by 2021, Tesla has categorized its current FSD option as Level 2 to navigate regulatory and insurance challenges.
