Self-driving cars aren’t as close to reality as some might have you believe, but semi-autonomous cars are already here, and they’re getting better. Mercedes-Benz is readying a Level 3 driving system that can control the vehicle in limited situations. The automaker recently received approval to employ turquoise lighting elements to alert others on the road when a vehicle is under its own control, and the tech could mark the start of new safety features related to more advanced autonomy.
California and Nevada approved the features, and the cars can employ the lights on freeways in California. Nevada will allow production vehicles equipped with the lights starting in 2026 and for S-Class Drive Pilot test vehicles. The new Mercedes EV, the EQS Sedan, is already equipped with Level 3 driving features, but the overall fleet is limited for now.
Beyond alerting other drivers, the lights can help emergency personnel identify the vehicles. Mercedes said the unique color will help the cars stand out from other vehicles, traffic lights, and emergency vehicles. It’s important to note that, as the first automaker to employ this technology, Mercedes is working to standardize the lights and other features for use across other semi-autonomous vehicles. There is no current standard framework in the U.S. for using the lights, but the testing in California and Nevada could yield significant advancements to make their use more widespread.
Mercedes has leapfrogged Tesla with this tech, as the American automaker’s semi-autonomous functions are limited to Level 2. That means the vehicle can steer and accelerate itself, but the human driver must remain alert and ready to take control at any time. Tesla is testing what it calls “Full Self-Driving” tech, but the feature is not fully autonomous, as the name suggests.
This testing may also help Mercedes avoid some of the challenges faced by the General Motors Cruise program, which ran into trouble in California after one of its robotaxis struck a pedestrian. The company has since recalled several of its vehicles and paused operations in the state, but the moves illustrate how far we are from fully self-driving cars.
If you want to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz semi-autonomous driving systems and advanced driver assistance systems, Mercedes-Benz of Plano should be your first stop. Our knowledgeable staff can explain each system in depth and would be excited to walk through all of their capabilities with a thorough test drive.
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