Next Mercedes-Benz S-Class to debut “eyes-off” autonomy

The next Mercedes-Benz S-Class due in 2020 will be fitted with a self-driving system capable of “eyes-off” conditional autonomy, the German car-maker has confirmed.

However, much like the existing Audi A8 which already boasts similar technology, the S-Class system will only reach public roads once regulatory approval has been secured.

Speaking with journalists at the Paris motor show earlier this month, Ola Kaellenius, Daimler’s head of research, confirmed the S-Class safety update.

"We are on the verge of jumping to Level 3, which is our target for the next S class," Kaellenius told AutoNews.

Kaellenius, who will take over from Dieter Zetsche as Daimler and Mercedes-Benz chief executive in May, said the technology will be introduced in the flagship model before filtering down into lower segment vehicles.

"That is something that you can then buy as an option, and you can proliferate it relatively quickly into higher volumes - especially with a brand like Mercedes," he said.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW are in a race to introduce ‘Level 3’ autonomy to their vehicles, the former with the S-Class and the latter with the iNext, planned for 2021. Both are behind Audi, which debuted a Level 3 system in the new A8 sedan, technology which has been partially stymied because of a lack of regulatory framework.

"The next S class is due for 2020, so the timeframe should be realistic," Kaellenius said of beating BMW to the punch.

For its part, Audi says it will begin offering Level 3 autonomy to customers as soon as it receives regulatory approval.

Using new technology including a laser scanner at the front of the vehicle, the 2018 A8 that reached Australia in July can purportedly monitor objects from further away using a laser scanner, “and in certain situations … take over the task of driving”.

But the devil is in the detail. Level 3 functionality has not been activated, and if and when self-driving laws are passed, Audi says the A8 won’t be compatible, and can’t be flashed to simply comply with standards. This stems from legal and legislative hurdles that don’t allow Audi to employ the tech on a mass basis.

Instead, all systems currently available on the market – including Tesla’s much-vaunted Autopilot function – are advanced versions of Level 2 assistance systems. That is, drivers cannot take their eyes off the road and must be prepared at all times to take control of the vehicle.