Mercedes EQS DRIVE PILOT im Stau: Der Vorreiter des autonomen Fahrens? | ADAC

ADAC

5 Sept 202306:24

Summary

TLDRIn this video script, Andreas Rigling from ADAC tests the Drive Pilot, an advanced driver assistance system in the Mercedes EQS. The system allows for automated driving up to 60 km/h on the German Autobahn, but has limitations in construction zones, rain, and temperatures below 4°C. Rigling explores the system's capabilities, including its use of LiDAR and GPS for precise positioning, and its safety features like monitoring the driver's readiness to take over control. Despite some operational restrictions, the script highlights the progress towards autonomous driving, with the potential for future expansion to higher speeds without traffic constraints.

Takeaways

🚗 The script describes a test of the Drive Pilot, an automated driving system in the Mercedes EQs, conducted by Andreas Rigling from ADAC.
🔍 The Drive Pilot is designed for use in traffic jams and is only operational up to 60 km/h on German highways.
🛠️ The system offers partial driving support with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, but the driver cannot fully relinquish control.
🌟 A distinctive feature of the Drive Pilot is the activation of an automated mode, indicated by a change in display color and steering wheel lights, allowing the driver to legally check emails while driving.
👮‍♂️ In case of police intervention, the vehicle records who was driving, which can be verified at a Mercedes-Benz dealership to prove the driver was not in control.
⛔ The system has limitations, such as not working in construction zones, during rain, at temperatures below 4°C, or when pedestrians are detected in construction or breakdown areas.
🛰️ The vehicle is equipped with advanced sensors, including a LiDAR sensor, a high-precision GPS antenna, and a detailed map of the German highway network.
🚨 An acoustic sensor, rather than a rain sensor or wipers, detects road wetness, triggering the system to deactivate if necessary.
👀 The system monitors the driver's attentiveness through sensors that maintain eye contact, requiring the driver to be ready to take over if needed.
🚫 If the driver becomes inattentive, such as by watching a movie on a phone, the system issues an immediate takeover warning and deactivates if the driver does not respond.
🏁 The Drive Pilot represents a significant step towards autonomous driving, shifting responsibility to the vehicle manufacturer, but also highlights the current limitations and the need for further development.

Q & A

What is the name of the person testing the driver assistance system for ADAC?
-The person testing the driver assistance system for ADAC is Andreas Rigling.
What is the name of the automated system being tested in the Mercedes EQs?
-The automated system being tested in the Mercedes EQs is called the 'Drive Pilot' or 'Staupiloten'.
What is the maximum speed at which the Drive Pilot can operate on German highways?
-The Drive Pilot can operate at speeds up to 60 km/h on German highways.
What does the 'A' button on the steering wheel indicate when it lights up?
-The 'A' button on the steering wheel, when lit, indicates that the vehicle is ready to switch to the automated mode, allowing the driver to disengage from the driving task.
What signal does the steering wheel display when the vehicle is in the automated mode?
-The steering wheel display shows a mix of green and blue lights when the vehicle is in the automated mode.
What can Andreas Rigling do legally while the vehicle is in the automated mode?
-Andreas Rigling can legally check his emails on his mobile phone while the vehicle is in the automated mode.
What does the vehicle record in the event of a police check for distracted driving?
-The vehicle records who was driving at any given time, which can be used to prove that the driver was not in control of the vehicle during an automated driving session.
What are some of the limitations of the Drive Pilot system?
-The limitations of the Drive Pilot system include not functioning in construction zones, during rain or wet conditions, and temperatures below four degrees Celsius.
What additional sensor does the Drive Pilot have compared to typical driver assistance systems?
-The Drive Pilot has an additional Lidar sensor, which is a laser sensor that scans the surroundings and allows for highly accurate positioning.
How does the system detect wetness on the road?
-The system detects wetness on the road using an acoustic sensor, which is a microphone in the wheel well, rather than a rain sensor or windshield wipers.
How does the system ensure that the driver remains attentive and ready to take over control?
-The system uses sensors to maintain eye contact with the driver. If the driver looks away or is not attentive, the system will recognize this and prompt the driver to take control immediately.
What does Andreas Rigling think about the Drive Pilot system in terms of its contribution to autonomous driving?
-Andreas Rigling sees the Drive Pilot system as a step in the right direction towards autonomous driving, but criticizes its implementation due to too many restrictions and frequent system disengagements.
What is the future potential speed limit for the Drive Pilot system as mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions that it has been announced that the Drive Pilot system will soon be capable of operating at speeds up to 90 km/h without being limited to traffic jam situations.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Testing the Automated Drive Pilot System

Andreas Rigling from ADAC tests an advanced driver assistance system, the Drive Pilot, in a Mercedes EQs. The system is designed to take over driving duties in traffic jams up to 60 km/h on German highways. The video showcases the activation of Drive Pilot, the change in display color, and the relinquishment of driving responsibility, allowing Andreas to check emails legally while the car is in automated mode. The system records who was driving, which is useful for proving compliance with traffic laws. However, it has limitations, such as not functioning in construction zones, during rain or temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius, and when pedestrians are detected. The Drive Pilot uses a combination of cameras, radar, and a LiDAR sensor for precise positioning and is equipped with a high-precision GPS and detailed maps of the German highway network. An acoustic sensor detects road wetness, and the system monitors the driver's attentiveness through sensors that track eye contact.

05:03

📺 Legal Entertainment While Stuck in Traffic

The video script describes a scenario where the Drive Pilot system is activated during a traffic jam, allowing the driver to legally watch TV or work on emails and other tasks without holding the steering wheel or pressing pedals. The system represents a step towards autonomous driving, shifting responsibility to the vehicle manufacturer. Despite some limitations and system dropouts, the script acknowledges the progress towards vehicle automation. It also mentions future improvements, with plans to extend the system's capabilities to 90 km/h without needing a traffic situation, potentially allowing for a more relaxed driving experience where the driver can engage in activities like watching TV, texting, or making phone calls legally.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Drive Pilot

Drive Pilot is a feature in the Mercedes EQs that allows for automated driving under certain conditions. It is central to the video's theme of testing the limits and capabilities of driver assistance systems in real-world scenarios. The script mentions the activation and deactivation of Drive Pilot, indicating its role in the test and its importance in the progression towards autonomous driving.

💡Automated driving

Automated driving refers to the capability of a vehicle to navigate without the need for human intervention. In the context of the video, it is the main focus as the host tests the Drive Pilot system, which is an example of Level 3 autonomous driving. The script discusses the system's ability to take over driving tasks, allowing the driver to engage in other activities legally, such as checking emails.

💡ADAC

ADAC is the Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club, a German automobile club involved in testing and rating various aspects of motor vehicles, including driver assistance systems. Andreas Rigling, the host in the script, is testing the Drive Pilot system for ADAC, which highlights the role of such organizations in evaluating new automotive technologies.

💡Staupiloten

Staupiloten is the German term for 'traffic jam pilot' and refers to the Drive Pilot system in the Mercedes EQs. The script uses this term to describe the advanced driver assistance system that can handle traffic jam situations, showcasing a specific application of automated driving technology.

💡Responsibility

In the context of automated driving, responsibility refers to who is in charge of the vehicle's operation. The script discusses the shift in responsibility from the driver to the vehicle manufacturer when using the Drive Pilot system, indicating a significant change in the concept of vehicle operation and control.

💡Limitations

The script mentions several limitations of the Drive Pilot system, such as its inability to function in construction zones, during rain, or at temperatures below four degrees Celsius. These limitations are crucial to understanding the current state of autonomous driving technology and the challenges it faces in real-world applications.

💡Lidar Sensor

A Lidar sensor is a type of sensor that uses laser light to measure distances and create high-resolution maps of the surrounding environment. The script mentions the Lidar sensor as part of the Mercedes EQs' advanced sensor suite, which is essential for accurate positioning and obstacle detection in automated driving systems.

💡GPS Antenna

A GPS antenna is used for receiving signals from Global Positioning System satellites to determine the precise location of a vehicle. In the script, it is mentioned that the Drive Pilot system has a particularly accurate GPS antenna, which is vital for the system's ability to navigate and make decisions based on the vehicle's position.

💡Acoustic Sensor

An acoustic sensor, in this case, refers to a microphone placed in the wheel well to detect road surface conditions, such as wetness. The script describes how the Drive Pilot system uses this sensor to determine if the road is wet, which can trigger the system to disengage, illustrating the sensitivity and safety measures of the technology.

💡Warning Cascade

A warning cascade refers to a series of alerts issued by the vehicle to prompt the driver to take back control. The script describes a scenario where the Drive Pilot system issues a full warning cascade, indicating a critical need for the driver to resume control due to the system's inability to handle the current driving situation.

💡Legality

The legality keyword pertains to the legal aspects of using automated driving features. The script discusses the legal implications of engaging in activities like checking emails or watching TV while the Drive Pilot is active, emphasizing the shift in responsibility and the need for clear regulations in autonomous driving.

Highlights

Drive Pilot, an automated system in the Mercedes EQs, is tested by Andreas Rigling from ADAC for driver assistance systems.

The system is designed to take over driving in traffic jams up to 60 km/h on German highways.

While using Drive Pilot, the driver can legally check emails on their phone for the first time.

The vehicle records who was driving when, to prove the driver was not in control if questioned by police.

Drive Pilot has limitations - it does not work in construction zones, rain, wet conditions, or temperatures below 4°C.

The system relies on a combination of cameras, radar, and a LiDAR sensor for precise positioning and environment scanning.

An additional rear camera helps recognize emergency vehicles and form a rescue lane automatically.

Necessary moisture is detected using an acoustic sensor, not a rain sensor or wipers.

If the driver becomes inattentive, sensors maintain eye contact to ensure they are ready to take over.

If the system cannot see the driver due to obstructions, it prompts an 'immediate takeover' error message.

Despite the system's limitations, it represents a significant step towards autonomous driving.

Responsibility shifts from the driver to the vehicle manufacturer when using Drive Pilot.

The system is criticized for its many restrictions and frequent disengagements, but it's seen as a step in the right direction for automation.

Legislation allows for higher speeds like 130 km/h, but no manufacturer has dared to implement it yet.

Daimler has taken a bold step by introducing Drive Pilot up to 60 km/h, with plans to extend it to 90 km/h without traffic jam conditions in the future.

In suitable conditions, the system allows drivers to relax and engage in activities like watching TV, texting, or making calls legally during long highway drives.