Mercedes-Benz has announced that it has received exemption permits for new turquoise marker lights, set for use in autonomous vehicle technology testing in the states of California and Nevada. The turquoise lights will be used as a clear exterior indication that an automated driving system is currently active. Mercedes-Benz’s use of turquoise marker lights in conjunction with automated driving system activation could predict the use of similar systems across the industry, including in GM vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz states that the new turquoise marker lights will help the automaker to gain insight into how other road users interact with automated vehicles, potentially enhancing public acceptance of autonomous driving systems and enhancing road safety. Additionally, the system may help law enforcement to clearly identify when an autonomous system is active and enable officers to determine whether certain passenger activities are permitted.
“We are the first automaker in the world to receive such approvals in the U.S., specifically in California and Nevada,” said Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer, Development and Purchasing, Markus Schäfer. “The more automated driving vehicles populate the road, the more important communication and interaction between the vehicle and the environment become.”
The new turquoise marker lights will be integrated into test vehicles in the front and rear lighting systems, as well as the sideview mirrors. Test vehicles will be equipped with Drive Pilot, Mercedes’ SAE-Level 3 autonomous system.
Drive Pilot has been available to order in Germany since 2022, while the first production vehicles equipped with the technology only recently debuted in California and Nevada. Customer deliveries of Drive Pilot-equipped 2024 EQS Sedan and S-Class models will kick off early next year.
Mercedes says that the turquoise color provides “reliable and fast detection for other road users, and it offers differentiation from existing vehicle lighting and traffic signals such as traffic lights or emergency lighting.”
GM currently offers the semi-autonomous Super Cruise system on a variety of different vehicles, enabling hands-free driving for extended highway journeys. The General plans to release the next-generation of its semi-autonomous driving technology, Ultra Cruise, to enable hands-free driving in upwards of 95 percent of all driving scenarios.
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Comments
I like this idea but hope that the states adopt laws against harassing cars in autonomous operation. The lights shouldn’t be an invitation for jerks to “test” the cars’ safety features.
Kinda like when a$$ hats roll coal in front of Teslas, and any other EV that happens to be unlucky enough to experience these idiots. Imagine if EV owners could spew battery acid towards the coal rollers in response … yes, I know, EVs use a different type of battery than lead-acid.