The three examples of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class that now have authorization for public autonomous testing in Nevada should easily blend into traffic. That's because these are the first "standard-production" vehicles ever to receive the licenses in the state. According to the company, other driverless cars under evaluation there require extra sensors or other modifications. However, the E-Class already has the necessary technology, and engineers only need to tweak the Drive Pilot control software before hitting the road.
Nevada passed its law allowing autonomous vehicle testing in 2011, and prototypes started hitting the road there in 2012. Since then, the state has been a hotbed of driverless car development for companies like Google, Audi, and recently Kia. Mercedes parent, Daimler, even began evaluating highway autonomous tech for big rigs there last year through its Freightliner brand.
A recent leak already gave us a look at the 2017 E-Class from every angle before the sedan's official debut at the Detroit Auto Show. For a chance to see the upcoming model on the move, check out the video below of three lightly camouflaged examples on the Las Vegas strip.
Press Release
Self-driving across the highways of Nevada
New Mercedes-Benz E-Class with test licence for autonomous driving
Stuttgart – Las Vegas, USA. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the world's first standard-production vehicle to be awarded a test licence for autonomous driving in the US state of Nevada. In a world first and also in time for the leading trade fair for consumer technology Consumer Electronics Show "CES" in Las Vegas, three standard-production E-Class vehicles have been approved to drive themselves.
To allow autonomous driving functions to be tested, test vehicles previously had to be elaborately equipped with special hardware and software. This included additional sensors, modified steering and an adapted ESP. That is no longer the case with the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The standard-production vehicle is already extensively equipped with intelligent technology. This means that, for testing purposes, it is necessary merely to make some smaller software modifications to the DRIVE PILOT control unit.
Prof. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, stresses: "The fact that Mercedes- Benz is the world's first vehicle manufacturer to be awarded such a licence shows that we are a step ahead when it comes to autonomous Driving. The new E-Class is therefore another big step to the fully automated vehicle."
"Nevada is proud to serve as the location where Daimler, an international automotive leader, can explore and test the possibilities of its cutting-edge autonomous vehicle," said Governor Brian Sandoval. "By collaborating with revolutionary, sustainable and creative endeavors Nevada is working to be at the forefront of emerging innovative technologies."
Self-driving tests are permitted on all interstates and state highways in Nevada, human drivers being required only for turning, merging and departing. The autonomous test drives in everyday traffic will be carried out by specially trained test drivers. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) rules also stipulate that there must be one passenger behind the wheel and a second passenger in the vehicle on test drives. The test vehicles are identified by a red licence plate reserved for autonomous driving.
Nevada passed regulations on autonomous driving back in June 2011 and is seen as a pioneer. The desert state's road network, landscape and traffic volume are highly representative of road conditions in the USA. Two self-driving Daimler trucks have been in operation on public roads since May 2015.
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