Photo: Mercedes-Benz / autoevolution edit
Mercedes-Benz has recently received approval from California and Nevada for its Level 3 self-driving system known as Drive Pilot. It marked a significant milestone, and it was an industry premiere. Tesla is still stuck at Level 2, even though FSD Beta is being touted as the software that'll transform EVs into robotaxis. However, the three-pointed star brand scored another win, and it came in the form of an official recognition from Euro NCAP. Here's why that's great news for Mercedes-Benz and its customers.
Five years ago, Euro NCAP started evaluating various advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). That refers to a combination of lane-keeping assist (or lane-centering) and adaptive cruise control. Usually, auto companies include more features in their ADAS to provide more help in various scenarios or to add some level of redundancy.
In 2020, the organization started issuing the following grades: entry, moderate, good, and very good. It also began analyzing these systems more thoroughly. One important addition was checking the vehicles for ways in which the driver is monitored. That can help avoid weird situations where people put a soda bottle to trick the car into thinking that someone's holding the steering wheel.
Yes, that happened and somehow continues to take place even today with other brands. Remember when some Tesla FSD Beta testers used wheel weights to trick Autopilot?
But Euro NCAP also made sure of something else – verify that the promotional material matches what the car can do. In today's world, where much is promised and little is shipped to buyers, that matters – a lot! Now, let's go back to what the rating means.
Euro NCAP tested Mercedes-Benz's Active Distance Assist Distronic, which is found on the EQE SUV and E-Class equipped with the Driving Assistance Package Plus. It used to cost $1,950, but now is $2,250.
Here's what you get for ticking that box:
Thus, Mercedes-Benz doesn't offer only a simple combination between a lane-centering function and an adaptive cruise control system. It's a lot more than that, which might explain why Euro NCAP was so impressed with it.
The organization says both the EQE SUV and the new E-Class offer correct and easy-to-read system status information when the driver-assistance system is on. It also points out that the units have an interior camera that can check for "microsleeps" (aka, driver drowsiness) and hooks the feed from the optic sensors to the steering wheel to monitor the driver better.
That feature is extremely useful. Suppose something happens to you (i.e., a stroke) while these semi-autonomous features are enabled. In that case, the car can figure it out, slowly come to a halt, put the hazards on, and call the emergency services while also sending your exact location via GPS.
Euro NCAP also found that these two Mercedes-Benz units equipped with the Driving Assistance Package Plus option are aware of the speed limit posted on traffic signs, can adapt the set speed to deal with curves and junctions, can prevent lane changes when there's a vehicle in the blind spot, can take active measures to avoid a collision, and do not allow the ADAS to activate if the hardware isn't functioning normally.
In 2020, the organization started issuing the following grades: entry, moderate, good, and very good. It also began analyzing these systems more thoroughly. One important addition was checking the vehicles for ways in which the driver is monitored. That can help avoid weird situations where people put a soda bottle to trick the car into thinking that someone's holding the steering wheel.
Yes, that happened and somehow continues to take place even today with other brands. Remember when some Tesla FSD Beta testers used wheel weights to trick Autopilot?
But Euro NCAP also made sure of something else – verify that the promotional material matches what the car can do. In today's world, where much is promised and little is shipped to buyers, that matters – a lot! Now, let's go back to what the rating means.
Euro NCAP tested Mercedes-Benz's Active Distance Assist Distronic, which is found on the EQE SUV and E-Class equipped with the Driving Assistance Package Plus. It used to cost $1,950, but now is $2,250.
Here's what you get for ticking that box:
- Active Speed Limit Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Steering Assist, Lane Change Assist, Emergency Stop Assist, Brake Assist;
- Evasive Steering Assist;
- Active Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist;
- ATTENTION ASSIST;
- Junction start-off function;
- Parking Package with reversing camera;
- PRE-SAFE PLUS and PRE-SAFE Impulse Side.
Thus, Mercedes-Benz doesn't offer only a simple combination between a lane-centering function and an adaptive cruise control system. It's a lot more than that, which might explain why Euro NCAP was so impressed with it.
The organization says both the EQE SUV and the new E-Class offer correct and easy-to-read system status information when the driver-assistance system is on. It also points out that the units have an interior camera that can check for "microsleeps" (aka, driver drowsiness) and hooks the feed from the optic sensors to the steering wheel to monitor the driver better.
That feature is extremely useful. Suppose something happens to you (i.e., a stroke) while these semi-autonomous features are enabled. In that case, the car can figure it out, slowly come to a halt, put the hazards on, and call the emergency services while also sending your exact location via GPS.
Euro NCAP also found that these two Mercedes-Benz units equipped with the Driving Assistance Package Plus option are aware of the speed limit posted on traffic signs, can adapt the set speed to deal with curves and junctions, can prevent lane changes when there's a vehicle in the blind spot, can take active measures to avoid a collision, and do not allow the ADAS to activate if the hardware isn't functioning normally.
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