Mercedes-Benz granted conditional L3 autonomous vehicle testing license in Beijing

Beijing (Gasgoo)- On December 16, Mercedes-Benz became one of the initial recipients of Beijing's Level 3 (L3) highway conditional autonomous driving test license, prioritizing safety as it initiates real-road trials of its conditional autonomous driving system on designated highways in the capital city. 

Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz

The company pledges to collaborate closely with relevant authorities to develop L3 autonomous driving features tailored for Chinese markets, ensuring a safe and reliable autonomous driving experience for local customers.

To adapt the L3 autonomous driving system to China's infrastructures and traffic conditions, the Chinese R&D team has been deeply involved in its global development since inception. Mercedes-Benz has continuously enhanced system performance through closed-circuit testing and validation in China since 2021, focusing on adapting the system to China's lane markings, construction zones, bus lanes, and tidal lanes while optimizing logic, algorithms, and parameters for scenarios like merging.

Mercedes-Benz now stands as the only global automaker certified for both L3 conditional autonomous driving and L4 autonomous unmanned pilot and parking.

Photo credit:  Mercedes-Benz

In China, Mercedes-Benz combines global R&D expertise with local innovation, collaborates with Chinese partners, and aligns with regulations to craft tailor-made products. This year, the company introduced the L2+ navigation-assisted driving feature in the all-new E-Class Long-Wheelbase model, led by the Chinese team. It covers highways and urban expressways nationwide, enabling navigation-assisted driving from point to point, including automatic lane changing and overtaking, once the vehicle reaches 50 km/h.

Since 2005, starting with the domestically produced E-Class vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has continuously increased R&D investments to better cater to Chinese customers. Over the past 18 years, its Chinese R&D network has evolved into the most comprehensive beyond Germany. Recently, Mercedes-Benz inaugurated new R&D centers in Beijing and Shanghai in 2021 and 2022, respectively, alongside extensive collaborations with local partners and over a decade-long partnership with Tsinghua University in sustainable transportation.

Mercedes-Benz remains committed to cultivating local talent, expecting its Chinese R&D team to grow to 2,000 members by the end of 2023.