Mercedes-Benz S 500 Intelligent Drive can drive itself

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Mercedes-Benz and Monocle magazine have taken a look in this new video at the Mercedes-Benz S 500 Intelligent Drive, which made history last year by driving through a range of urban and intercity routes autonomously. The research vehicle retraced the roughly 100 km route that Bertha Benz, wife of Karl Benz, took on the world’s first long-distance drive over 125 years ago on the Benz Patent-Motorwagen.

The Mannheim-to-Pforzheim route was littered with regular moving traffic, pedestrians, traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts and roadworks, all of which the Intelligent Drive had to negotiate, just like any normal driver. The technology used is not far removed from that on the new W222 S-Class, with eight radar sensors and three cameras feeding information to an onboard computer which processes them in real time.

The algorithms used for the car to plot its own route were developed in collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Mercedes-Benz also worked with Nokia-owned HERE mapping service to map out a 3D digital map specifically designed for autonomous vehicles (including the number and direction of lanes and the placement of traffic lights) which the Intelligent Drive could refer to when making decisions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZX2SbWjMH8

This recent test is the latest result of years of research into the study of autonomous driving beginning in 1986, which resulted in test vehicles that could already change lanes, overtake and keep a safe distance on highways nearly 20 years ago.

One of the key developments of the project is the production Distronic adaptive cruise control system, which in addition to Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot on the new S-Class can now keep the car in the centre of the lane and maintain a set distance to the car in front even in traffic jams.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzBIU8k5uOo&cc_load_policy=1

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • PEMANDU on Jun 02, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    lepas ni ramai la pemalas… teringat cerita wall-e, semua bende teknologi buat, manusia duduk je..haaha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
  • Storm on Jun 02, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    It’s funny that car manufacturers brag so much about how well their car handles. Now they let computer enjoy all the nice driving that they brag about previously.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • torque on Jun 02, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Dang!! Must b a real boredom driving a car in the future. Wait? Did I said ‘driving’?! Then again, while the car is driving…u could ‘drive’ ur date! ;p

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • Yours Faithfully (YF) on Jun 02, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Good feature to have when you are just too tired or too drunk to drive. Questions is… When police pull you over, will you get a ticket for drunk driving even though you are not physically driving the car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • RUGAL on Jun 02, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    Technology doesn’t necessarily good. What you expect when the car drives itself. You won’t get the driving pleasure.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Denaihati on Jun 02, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    this is important driving in heavy traffic, highway, big boss car and also OKU. of course this tech is so expensive and bulky hardware at this moment but, by continues development, also by other manufacturer, it will gradually reduce time by time.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • Waiting for proton self-drive, self-accident, self-death car under the new chairmanship.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 12
  • Samad Jain on Jun 02, 2014 at 11:21 pm

    How could anyone claim driving a car, but actually not driving it?? Might as well call himself/herself “passenger”.

    There are many situation that still requires human judgement and experience, when facing dangerous situation during driving. Computer simply can’t substitute that.

    I fear that when car accidents happened, the car company that invented the technology will be sued until bankrupt and beyond bankrupt…Too big of a risk!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • DrCooper on Jun 03, 2014 at 6:31 am

    No point having this autonomous drive for S class. those people bought this car mostly not gonna drive themselves (chauffeured), even if they in the driver seat they also not gonna drive as well with this.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Spirior on Jun 03, 2014 at 6:52 am

    This is the genesis of a different type of transportation. It will soon loose every single thing that defines a car, save a box with wheels. As Google car has shown, there is no need for steering wheel, pedals, and may be even the conventional seatings. It will be just a rail-less train, a moving room, another appliance. It is just as mundane as receiving emails, or taking the lift to the 20th floor. It is just a movement from point A to B, with little care of what happens in between.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • abuya on Jun 03, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Drive itself? To destination or final destination? Hahaha…. Good invention but dont rely on it if mean to carrying human.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Modern on Jun 03, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Hoyoh!!….LRT pun drive sendiri

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • facelift on Jun 03, 2014 at 11:52 am

    suruh mercedes test drive kt malaysia first, especially KL or Penang road, kalau lepas baru la boleh go global. :)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • mr_em on Jun 03, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Mercedes Benz should now sponsor a re-run of the 80’s Knight Rider….. KITT is now a reality.. hehehe not a Pontiac but in the form of a Mercedes S-Class…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • say whut?? on Jun 03, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    this kind of advancement have already been created way in the 1897 and still being used now, it’s called a CAB

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • What’s the point of buying an expensive car while you’re not driving it? Why not use public transport instead?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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