Mercedes-Benz is shifting its automated driving strategy. The company previously led with a Level 3 system, now it is focusing on a more capable Level 2++ setup. This change follows real-world experience and customer feedback.
The Level 3 Drive Pilot system was a first. Mercedes was the first automaker to bring a Level 3 system to U.S. roads, with approval in Nevada. However, the system had a major limitation. It was restricted to a top speed of about 40 mph. This made it impractical for most American highway driving.
Mercedes-Benz CTO Jörg Burzer explained the reasoning behind the shift. He said the Level 3 system was simply “too early.” The main challenge was its limited usability. “We realized that we have to expand the ODD [Operation Design Domain],” Burzer stated. “We have to make it faster and from the speed level.”
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The company is now prioritizing its Level 2++ system. This system is already available on the refreshed S-Class and other new models. It is designed to be more useful for drivers. Mercedes learned valuable lessons from the Level 3 project, which it is applying to this new technology.
The Path to Level 4
The experience gained with Level 2++ is shaping Mercedes’s long-term plan. The company is now aiming directly for Level 4 autonomy, which would allow for full driver disengagement in more conditions.
Skip Level 3, go to Level 4. That is Burzer’s stated belief. He thinks it is best to advance toward Level 4, where a driver can do anything in the seat. However, he expects Level 4 to arrive much later. His current prediction is sometime after 2030. When it does arrive, urban driving will likely be the last feature to become fully automated.
