Mercedes-Benz just announced that it has become the first automaker in the world to receive approval from the US government to use special exterior marker lights that signal when the car is driving autonomously. The system will be integrated into test vehicles in California equipped with Drive Pilot.
Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot system, a level 3 automated driving system, has received certification in Germany and the US. The technology uses turquoise marker lights to visualize automated driving status, aiming to increase public acceptance and ensure road safety.
The California test cars will be equipped with turquoise marker lights on the headlights and taillights, as well as on the rearview mirrors. The effectiveness of using turquoise has been verified by Mercedes-Benz through many experimental studies.
Drive Pilot will be available on 2024 EQS and S-Class models in California and Nevada starting early next year. In the future, Mercedes-Benz is committed to standardizing the use of turquoise to visualize automated driving status across vehicle models produced in different markets such as the US, China and Europe.
