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Self-Driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class Starts Ride-Hailing Operations in San Jose

California is the promised land for automakers seeking to test new and potentially game-changing technologies. It is there where the electric car revolution started, and it is where carmakers are playing with self-driving technologies the most.
Self-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class 11 photos
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Self-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San JoseSelf-driving Mercedes-Benz S-Class testing in San Jose
Joining an already crowded segment in the region, Mercedes-Benz announced the roll-out of autonomous S-Class vehicles in the city of San Jose, aiming to provide a shuttle service between the West part of the city and downtown.

The cars are equipped with autonomous tech developed by Bosch, and the service is run through an app developed by Daimler itself. For the time being, the service is available only to a restricted number of users, who can hail their ride at defined pick-up points and then wait to be carried to the destination.

As all other similar technologies now being tested, the one trialed by the Germans will be supervised by a safety driver who will be at all times inside the car, ready to step in should something go wrong.

The goal of the pilot project is to give the carmaker further avenues to pursue in the development of Level 4 and even Level 5 automated systems.

The city chosen for this test, San Jose, was the first in the U.S. to allow field tests of autonomous cars; it did so as far back as 2017.

“As a city, we want to know more about how automated vehicles can help improve safety and reduce congestion, as well as make mobility more available, sustainable, and inclusive,” said in a statement Dolan Beckel, Director of Civic Innovation and Digital Strategy.

“The project of Mercedes-Benz and Bosch ties in with San José’s extensive ‘smart city’ objectives. It will also help us develop guidelines for dealing with new technologies and prepare for the traffic system of the future.”

Mercedes did not say when the pilot program will conclude.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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