Mercedes-Benz approved for L4 autonomous vehicles tests in Beijing

Beijing (Gasgoo)- Recently, Mercedes-Benz announced that it has become the first gobal automaker authorized to conduct Level 4 (L4) urban and expressway autonomous driving tests in Beijing.

Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz stated that this project, as part of its technology research initiatives in China, focuses on studying multi-sensor perception and system performance under extreme conditions for advanced autonomous driving systems. The project aims to explore the deep integration of perception and control mechanisms.

According to the company, its L4 test vehicles can independently handle most driving tasks without driver intervention. The test vehicles are equipped with an array of sensors and redundant systems to enhance safety. In busy urban areas, the vehicles can effortlessly execute maneuvers such as parking, U-turns, navigating roundabouts, and unprotected left turns. On expressways, the autonomous vehicles can perform actions like automatic lane changes when the vehicle in front slows down and passing through toll stations autonomously. In extreme situations, the vehicles will follow a minimal risk strategy, finding a safe place to stop.

Mercedes-Benz has been exploring autonomous driving since 1986 and was the first to achieve commercial deployment of Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving in Europe and the United States. Prior to receiving approval for L4 urban and expressway testing in Beijing, the city's authorities issued the "Beijing Intelligent Connected Vehicle Policy Pilot Zone Conditional Autonomous Driving Function Vehicle Road Test Management Rules (Trial)" in December of last year. Mercedes-Benz was among the first companies to receive conditional autonomous driving (L3) expressway road test licenses in Beijing.