Test-Driving Mercedes-Benz Level 3 Autonomous Driving
"No Driving Accidents Since Launch of Level 3"
Approval Planned for Extension Up to 130 km/h
"Now, you can press the autonomous driving button and take your hands off the wheel."
I was skeptical when told to let go of the steering wheel while driving at 95 km/h on a highway near Munich, Germany. However, I soon became accustomed to using my phone or making eye contact and chatting with the person next to me while the car was in motion.
Since May, Mercedes-Benz has been selling the EQS equipped with "Drive Pilot," which features Level 3 autonomous driving technology. During the "IAA 2025," Europe's largest mobility show held on the 8th (local time), I was able to experience this autonomous driving technology for just over 40 minutes through a Mercedes-Benz test drive program.
Among the stages of autonomous driving, Level 3 remains an "unknown territory" in South Korea. At this stage, the vehicle takes full control of driving, so the driver does not need to keep their hands on the wheel or watch the road. It is considered a stage where activities such as working or checking emails inside the car are possible. In fact, while driving the Mercedes-Benz Level 3 vehicle, it was possible to check my phone or take photos.
However, several conditions must be met to use Level 3. The function is only available on highways during the daytime. It cannot be used in rainy weather. Additionally, it can only be used in the far-right (slow) lane and only when there is a vehicle in front. The speed is limited to a maximum of 95 km/h.
After leaving the city and entering the highway, the car automatically checked whether autonomous driving conditions were met and activated the autonomous driving button on the steering wheel to indicate it was available. Pressing the button at that moment was all it took.
The car maintained a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and continued to follow it. If a car from another lane cut in, the vehicle would slow down and then adjust its distance to follow the car in front again.
Notably, the system is linked with the navigation, and it alerts the driver in advance if conditions for autonomous driving are not met, allowing the driver to prepare accordingly.
Before an entry lane appeared on the right, the car notified the driver to take the wheel through vibrations and an alarm. Pressing the button again allowed the driver to resume control at any time. If the car in front exceeded 95 km/h or changed lanes and disappeared, the system also alerted the driver to take back the steering wheel.
Would following a slow-moving truck delay the arrival time? Stefan Pickel, the instructor who accompanied the test drive, explained, "We conducted a driving test with two Level 3 autonomous vehicles, one following a truck and the other a regular car. The difference in arrival time for a destination about 400 km away was only about 25 minutes, so the arrival time did not change significantly."
To let other drivers know that this car is operating autonomously, Mercedes-Benz plans to equip the vehicle with blue lights on the daytime running lamps and side mirrors.
A Mercedes-Benz representative stated, "Since the launch of Level 3, there have been no driving accidents so far. Currently, the system is limited to 95 km/h, but we plan to obtain government approval to increase this to 130 km/h and to allow autonomous driving in the center lane as well." Regarding introduction to the South Korean market, the representative said, "We are currently preparing for the domestic launch."
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