Mercedes-Benz strides ahead as the first global car maker to secure permits for special turquoise exterior marker lights, dedicated to automated driving. These groundbreaking permits, sanctioned by California and Nevada, signal a major shift in automated vehicle and road user dynamics.
Safety and Communication Revolution
The California permit, with a two-year validity, sets the stage for extensive vehicle tests. Nevada’s permit extends to Mercedes-Benz’s 2026 models. These authorizations are key for Mercedes-Benz to understand automated vehicles’ integration with traditional traffic.
Marker lights, expected to significantly enhance public acceptance of automated driving, are pivotal for safety. Visible from the outside, these lights signal the automated system’s status, aiding traffic law enforcement and police in assessing the vehicle’s mode and driver activity.
DRIVE PILOT: A Pioneering Endeavor
Mercedes-Benz’s DRIVE PILOT, an international frontrunner as the SAE-Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving, will be the first platform to incorporate these marker lights. Available in Germany since 2022 and recently introduced in the U.S., DRIVE PILOT is at the forefront of automated driving technology.
Turquoise: A Strategic Choice
Turquoise was chosen for its visibility and distinctiveness, standing apart from traditional vehicle lighting and traffic signals. This choice aims to reduce confusion with existing lights and signals. Studies confirm turquoise as the optimal color for automated driving, due to its high detection rates and psychological impact.
Push for Global Color Standardization
Mercedes-Benz champions the adoption of turquoise as the standard color for automated driving worldwide. While the U.S., China, and UN-ECE lack a unified framework for such lights, the approvals from California and Nevada are vital initial steps. Uniform regulations for these lights could greatly enhance global road safety and encourage technological progress.
Mercedes-Benz: A Vanguard
Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to pioneering safety and innovation is clear from this initiative. As noted by Markus Schäfer, a Board Member at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, this move sets new industry precedents. As automated vehicles become more prevalent, their interaction with the environment grows in importance.
Mercedes-Benz’s introduction of turquoise marker lights for automated driving not only establishes new industry benchmarks but also promises to enhance road safety and communication, charting a course for the future of automated driving technology.
AUTO TECH | ABB hastens Volvo’s Electric Future with Robotic Automation
