Mercedes-Benz secures groundbreaking approvals in California and Nevada for turquoise-hued marker lights in automated driving. These lights, integrated into the DRIVE PILOT system, aim to enhance visibility, improve safety, and signify automated driving status for public understanding.
Mercedes-Benz achieves a pioneering milestone as the first automotive manufacturer to attain approvals for turquoise exterior marker lights for automated driving in California and Nevada. These marker lights, part of the DRIVE PILOT system, aim to enhance visibility and clarity regarding the status of automated vehicles for improved road safety.
The permits obtained by Mercedes-Benz in California are initially limited to a two-year testing phase, while the Nevada permit is applicable to Model Year 2026 production vehicles until legislative modifications occur.
The integration of these marker lights, designed following the SAE J3134 Recommended Practice, aims to provide crucial insights into the interaction between automated vehicles and other road users. This initiative is expected to enhance public acceptance of automated driving technology and aid law enforcement in identifying vehicles operating in automated mode.
Markus Schäfer, from the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, expressed the significance of this milestone, emphasizing the importance of communication between vehicles and the environment as automated vehicles become more prevalent.
The turquoise color for these marker lights was chosen based on its visibility, distinctiveness from existing lighting, and its optimal suitability for automated driving based on test studies. The development process involved a multidisciplinary team focusing on engineering, compliance, data protection, and ethics.
Mercedes-Benz aims for global standardization of turquoise lights to signify automated driving, stressing the need for a universal regulation framework. Currently, there's no global standard for such lighting, and these approvals mark a pivotal step towards heightened safety and technological advancements.
Mercedes-Benz's milestone of securing approvals for turquoise marker lights signifies a leap in automated driving technology. These marker lights, integrated into the DRIVE PILOT system, are pivotal for enhancing safety, visibility, and public understanding of automated vehicles' operational status.
