2018 w222 Mercedes s facelift first drive
03-17-2017, 01:44 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
2018 w222 Mercedes s facelift first drive
Autonom-S: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Tech Preview
http://www.motortrend.com/news/2018-mercedes-benz-s-class-tech-preview/
http://www.motortrend.com/news/2018-mercedes-benz-s-class-tech-preview/
03-17-2017, 05:37 PM
#2
Super Member
Autonom-S: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Tech Preview
http://www.motortrend.com/news/2018-...-tech-preview/
http://www.motortrend.com/news/2018-...-tech-preview/
03-18-2017, 11:08 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class - first ride with autonomous technology
Upgraded S-Class will use map data to paint a better picture of its surroundings and offer more advanced driverless control
by Greg Kable
16 March 2017
We get our first taste of the all-new luxury Mercedes S-Class saloon with a passenger ride and tech preview
The passenger seat isn’t usually the best place for first impressions, but as the car here is Mercedes-Benz’s new S-Class we’ll make an exception. Not that the driver is doing much of the driving, the new S-Class, which will be revealed fully within the next month, is pretty much driving itself. Outwardly, even under the swirled camouflage, it’s clear that Mercedes’s biggest saloon won’t be a radical departure in looks from the existing car. No, the changes to the firm’s technology leader relate to exactly that - technology, and specifically, the driver assistance systems.
The E-Class introduced many of them, with the current S-Class actually trailing its smaller relation in regards to Mercedes’s most advanced assistance and autonomous driving features. That changes soon. The E-Class runs the company’s 4.0 generation equipment, however the new S-Class will have 4.5, which adds some new advanced features to some of the familiar technology that debuted on the E-Class.
The S-Class gains the E’s new electronic architecture underneath, which will allow the S-Class to adopt Mercedes's latest modular engine family. That includes the M 256 six-cylinder in-line petrol which adopts an electric compressor and Integrated Starter-Alternator; allowing it V8 power but sub six-cylinder consumption. There will be a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo, too, while the S-Class will now be available with the E-Class’s sophisticated turbodiesel four- and six-cylinder units, engines which simply wouldn’t have been possible with the S-Class’s old electronic systems.
Today isn’t about the powertrains, though, it’s about the assistance and autonomous systems. The S-Class builds on the foundations of the E-Class before it, re-establishing the S-Class as the brand's technology leader. The words Active and Assist feature a lot, Mercedes’s descriptions of its technology never anything but literal, with the list including Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist and Active and Remote Parking Assist.
While all of Mercedes’s experts shy away from talk of full autonomy, Dr Michael Hafner, Head of Automated Driving and Active Safety says Mercedes is approaching the goal of dispensing of a driver faster than people suspect - pointing to the 2013 trip between Mannheim and Pfrozheim in a fully autonomous S 500 Intelligent Drive. He adds that it’s legislative as much as technical hurdles that must first be resolved. He does say though, “from the autumn, the new S-Class will be able to support its driver considerably better than all the systems which have been available to date.”
That’s achieved thanks to new technology and hardware, with greater range from the cameras and radar systems up to 250 metres ahead, improved processing power and, inside, simpler graphical representation in the instruments as to the automated systems functions, and improved operation of them. The Lane Change Assist now functions on just a touch of the indicator. However, underlining those beaurocratic hurdles Hafner highlighted, is the fact that Lane Change Assist isn’t allowed in the UK under current legislation.
Today our driver is Volker Klink, of the Active Safety, Driver Assistance Systems team. To say he’s driving is a bit of a misnomer, he’s basically steering, Klink’s foot only touching the brake a couple of times over a 50km driving route around Mercedes's Sindelfingen facility.
Even the steering inputs are assisted, the S-Class’s new technology following navigation information and predicatively reducing speeds when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. The automated braking and acceleration is associated with the driving mode selected, whether it be Eco, Comfort or Sport. It’s noticeably later in its braking and more forceful in its acceleration - up to the pre-selected, or traffic sign read speed, of course, when in Sport mode. Of course, Klink needs to hold onto the wheel, not doing so sees the S-Class repeatedly warn you before deciding you’re incapacitated and stopping using Active Emergency Stop Assist, unlocking the doors and calling the emergency services.
It’s unlikely you would be driving the Maybach S-Class we’re sat in, the systems making life a bit easier for your chauffeur. You might, however, want to show off the Remote Parking Assistant to your friends yourself. Working via your smartphone it’ll squeeze the S-Class completely autonomously into a parking space. All you have to do is stand alongside and twirl your thumb on your phone’s screen to let the car know you’re paying attention. Do that and the S-Class will manoeuvre into a space, or out of it, like the biggest, most expensive remote control car you’ve ever seen. It’s fun, too, and the most truly autonomous feature on the new car.
The world’s chauffeurs can rest easy for now then, though by the time this new S-Class’s replacement comes along they might want to consider a career change, as the technology is advancing at a tremendous rate, and if the legislation catches up, a driverless S-Class isn’t too far away at all.
Upgraded S-Class will use map data to paint a better picture of its surroundings and offer more advanced driverless control
by Greg Kable
16 March 2017
We get our first taste of the all-new luxury Mercedes S-Class saloon with a passenger ride and tech preview
The passenger seat isn’t usually the best place for first impressions, but as the car here is Mercedes-Benz’s new S-Class we’ll make an exception. Not that the driver is doing much of the driving, the new S-Class, which will be revealed fully within the next month, is pretty much driving itself. Outwardly, even under the swirled camouflage, it’s clear that Mercedes’s biggest saloon won’t be a radical departure in looks from the existing car. No, the changes to the firm’s technology leader relate to exactly that - technology, and specifically, the driver assistance systems.
The E-Class introduced many of them, with the current S-Class actually trailing its smaller relation in regards to Mercedes’s most advanced assistance and autonomous driving features. That changes soon. The E-Class runs the company’s 4.0 generation equipment, however the new S-Class will have 4.5, which adds some new advanced features to some of the familiar technology that debuted on the E-Class.
The S-Class gains the E’s new electronic architecture underneath, which will allow the S-Class to adopt Mercedes's latest modular engine family. That includes the M 256 six-cylinder in-line petrol which adopts an electric compressor and Integrated Starter-Alternator; allowing it V8 power but sub six-cylinder consumption. There will be a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo, too, while the S-Class will now be available with the E-Class’s sophisticated turbodiesel four- and six-cylinder units, engines which simply wouldn’t have been possible with the S-Class’s old electronic systems.
Today isn’t about the powertrains, though, it’s about the assistance and autonomous systems. The S-Class builds on the foundations of the E-Class before it, re-establishing the S-Class as the brand's technology leader. The words Active and Assist feature a lot, Mercedes’s descriptions of its technology never anything but literal, with the list including Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Steering Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist and Active and Remote Parking Assist.
While all of Mercedes’s experts shy away from talk of full autonomy, Dr Michael Hafner, Head of Automated Driving and Active Safety says Mercedes is approaching the goal of dispensing of a driver faster than people suspect - pointing to the 2013 trip between Mannheim and Pfrozheim in a fully autonomous S 500 Intelligent Drive. He adds that it’s legislative as much as technical hurdles that must first be resolved. He does say though, “from the autumn, the new S-Class will be able to support its driver considerably better than all the systems which have been available to date.”
That’s achieved thanks to new technology and hardware, with greater range from the cameras and radar systems up to 250 metres ahead, improved processing power and, inside, simpler graphical representation in the instruments as to the automated systems functions, and improved operation of them. The Lane Change Assist now functions on just a touch of the indicator. However, underlining those beaurocratic hurdles Hafner highlighted, is the fact that Lane Change Assist isn’t allowed in the UK under current legislation.
Today our driver is Volker Klink, of the Active Safety, Driver Assistance Systems team. To say he’s driving is a bit of a misnomer, he’s basically steering, Klink’s foot only touching the brake a couple of times over a 50km driving route around Mercedes's Sindelfingen facility.
Even the steering inputs are assisted, the S-Class’s new technology following navigation information and predicatively reducing speeds when approaching bends, junctions or roundabouts. The automated braking and acceleration is associated with the driving mode selected, whether it be Eco, Comfort or Sport. It’s noticeably later in its braking and more forceful in its acceleration - up to the pre-selected, or traffic sign read speed, of course, when in Sport mode. Of course, Klink needs to hold onto the wheel, not doing so sees the S-Class repeatedly warn you before deciding you’re incapacitated and stopping using Active Emergency Stop Assist, unlocking the doors and calling the emergency services.
It’s unlikely you would be driving the Maybach S-Class we’re sat in, the systems making life a bit easier for your chauffeur. You might, however, want to show off the Remote Parking Assistant to your friends yourself. Working via your smartphone it’ll squeeze the S-Class completely autonomously into a parking space. All you have to do is stand alongside and twirl your thumb on your phone’s screen to let the car know you’re paying attention. Do that and the S-Class will manoeuvre into a space, or out of it, like the biggest, most expensive remote control car you’ve ever seen. It’s fun, too, and the most truly autonomous feature on the new car.
The world’s chauffeurs can rest easy for now then, though by the time this new S-Class’s replacement comes along they might want to consider a career change, as the technology is advancing at a tremendous rate, and if the legislation catches up, a driverless S-Class isn’t too far away at all.
03-18-2017, 11:10 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
AUTONOM-S: 2018 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS TECH PREVIEW
Another baby-step toward electrochauffeurdom.
The recently introduced E-Class got a new suite of driver-assistance hardware and software (internally dubbed version 4.0) aimed at further reducing driver workload when traveling on well-marked highways. This gear leapfrogged that of the current range-topping W222 S-Class—an untenable imbalance of power that is being righted with the refreshed 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (pictured above). The luxury sedan’s mild redesign will be unveiled at the 2017 New York auto show next month, but its version 4.5 driver assistance gear was just demonstrated in Germany. Highlights include enhanced software controlling the E-Class’ radar and camera equipment (forward-looking radar that can sense obstacles up to 820 feet away and two rear/side-looking ones providing a range of 260 feet aft; forward stereo cameras that can discern objects in 3D almost 300 feet in front of the car and can interpret approaching headlights up to a third of a mile ahead). All of this has enabled the rollout of a redubbed Active Distance Assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, enhanced Active Steering Assist, improved emergency assist functions, and a new remote parking package.
DON’T CALL IT ADADASA
Nor Magic anything. But the Active Distance Assist Distronic and Active Steering Assist system melds the car’s improved situational awareness with enhanced map data to allow the cruise control part of the system to automatically slow for upcoming bends in the road that might otherwise make passengers feel uncomfortable, for approaching reduced-speed-limit areas (based on map data), or when approaching a roundabout, intersection, toll-booth, or a highway exit that the navigation program expects you to take. Whenever such speed reductions occur, an icon explaining the reason for it appears in the instrument cluster. This system offers comfort, eco, and sport settings that alter the aggressiveness with which the car slows and resumes speed in such instances. As with other Distronic systems, it works at speeds up to 130 mph.
Mind you, this is still Level 2 autonomy, so it remains the driver’s responsibility to safely negotiate said roundabouts and exits. In some cases, however, slowing for gentler bends might allow the system to steer through them without human assistance—provided human hands have not yet been off the wheel for too long. We’re told the steering assist function is improved and that rather than striving for perfect lane centering, it still takes a luge-run approach that favors the center while allowing some sideways leeway. (Curiously, straying over a solid lane marker toward the shoulder, for example, triggers a course correction via braking on the inboard wheels instead of just an electric steering correction.) These systems are all controlled by new steering wheel–mounted buttons.
ACTIVE BRAKE AND EVASIVE STEERING ASSIST
When driving or reversing into potentially hazardous traffic, the car will autonomously brake to avoid a collision. And like the brake-assist function many cars have had for years, steering assist is provided whenever the driver initiates evasive maneuvers to avoid a potential pedestrian or vehicle collision.
ACTIVE LANE CHANGE ASSIST
Simply touch the turn signal as if initiating a three-flash-to-pass signal, and the relevant sensors check to make sure a lane change wouldn’t cross a solid lane marker or risk a collision. If the lane change is deemed safe within 10 seconds of the driver signaling, the car steers into the intended lane (and accelerates to resume the set speed if necessary). The flasher continues flashing until the lane change is completed.
ACTIVE SPEED LIMIT ASSIST
Using map data verified by camera-based traffic sign recognition, the car always knows the speed limit and can be programmed to obey it but cannot be set to follow a given offset (such as 9 mph above—perhaps the hacking community can provide this feature?). Happily this is a separate function that can be enabled. The traffic-sign recognition system will also warn against making prohibited turns or entering one-way roads the wrong way.
ACTIVE EMERGENCY STOP ASSIST
Ignore the car’s instruction to put your hands on the wheel for too long while also failing to touch accelerator or brake, and the car will come to a stop (as the E-Class will), switching on the flashers below 35 mph. After coming to a stop (in the lane), the doors are unlocked and an emergency call is made to summon assistance.
CAR-TO-X COMMUNICATIONS
S-Class cars will join the conversation already happening between all new E-Classes and the Mercedes-Benz cloud, sharing live traffic information about icy road conditions, hard braking events, etc. and also passing along certain infrastructural information from organizations that partner with Mercedes-Benz. In Germany, that includes the instant location of moving autobahn mowing crews. In the U.S., it could soon involve lots of information from the mapping/traffic-info aggregating firm Here, in which Mercedes holds part ownership. Mercedes is currently using the cellular network for such communications while the industry awaits unique spectrum allowance.
TRAFFIC-JAM ASSIST
As before, the adaptive cruise system will follow the car in front right down to a stop. Now it will automatically resume following said car if it moves off again within 30 seconds.
REMOTE PARKING ASSIST
At the end of your partially autonomous journey, let the S-Class park itself, either using the parallel and perpendicular park assist function. Or for narrow and barely accessible spots, hop out and let a smartphone app maneuver it up to 50 feet away, negotiating around obstacles and even folding the mirrors if necessary.
Another baby-step toward electrochauffeurdom.
The recently introduced E-Class got a new suite of driver-assistance hardware and software (internally dubbed version 4.0) aimed at further reducing driver workload when traveling on well-marked highways. This gear leapfrogged that of the current range-topping W222 S-Class—an untenable imbalance of power that is being righted with the refreshed 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class and 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (pictured above). The luxury sedan’s mild redesign will be unveiled at the 2017 New York auto show next month, but its version 4.5 driver assistance gear was just demonstrated in Germany. Highlights include enhanced software controlling the E-Class’ radar and camera equipment (forward-looking radar that can sense obstacles up to 820 feet away and two rear/side-looking ones providing a range of 260 feet aft; forward stereo cameras that can discern objects in 3D almost 300 feet in front of the car and can interpret approaching headlights up to a third of a mile ahead). All of this has enabled the rollout of a redubbed Active Distance Assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, enhanced Active Steering Assist, improved emergency assist functions, and a new remote parking package.
DON’T CALL IT ADADASA
Nor Magic anything. But the Active Distance Assist Distronic and Active Steering Assist system melds the car’s improved situational awareness with enhanced map data to allow the cruise control part of the system to automatically slow for upcoming bends in the road that might otherwise make passengers feel uncomfortable, for approaching reduced-speed-limit areas (based on map data), or when approaching a roundabout, intersection, toll-booth, or a highway exit that the navigation program expects you to take. Whenever such speed reductions occur, an icon explaining the reason for it appears in the instrument cluster. This system offers comfort, eco, and sport settings that alter the aggressiveness with which the car slows and resumes speed in such instances. As with other Distronic systems, it works at speeds up to 130 mph.
Mind you, this is still Level 2 autonomy, so it remains the driver’s responsibility to safely negotiate said roundabouts and exits. In some cases, however, slowing for gentler bends might allow the system to steer through them without human assistance—provided human hands have not yet been off the wheel for too long. We’re told the steering assist function is improved and that rather than striving for perfect lane centering, it still takes a luge-run approach that favors the center while allowing some sideways leeway. (Curiously, straying over a solid lane marker toward the shoulder, for example, triggers a course correction via braking on the inboard wheels instead of just an electric steering correction.) These systems are all controlled by new steering wheel–mounted buttons.
ACTIVE BRAKE AND EVASIVE STEERING ASSIST
When driving or reversing into potentially hazardous traffic, the car will autonomously brake to avoid a collision. And like the brake-assist function many cars have had for years, steering assist is provided whenever the driver initiates evasive maneuvers to avoid a potential pedestrian or vehicle collision.
ACTIVE LANE CHANGE ASSIST
Simply touch the turn signal as if initiating a three-flash-to-pass signal, and the relevant sensors check to make sure a lane change wouldn’t cross a solid lane marker or risk a collision. If the lane change is deemed safe within 10 seconds of the driver signaling, the car steers into the intended lane (and accelerates to resume the set speed if necessary). The flasher continues flashing until the lane change is completed.
ACTIVE SPEED LIMIT ASSIST
Using map data verified by camera-based traffic sign recognition, the car always knows the speed limit and can be programmed to obey it but cannot be set to follow a given offset (such as 9 mph above—perhaps the hacking community can provide this feature?). Happily this is a separate function that can be enabled. The traffic-sign recognition system will also warn against making prohibited turns or entering one-way roads the wrong way.
ACTIVE EMERGENCY STOP ASSIST
Ignore the car’s instruction to put your hands on the wheel for too long while also failing to touch accelerator or brake, and the car will come to a stop (as the E-Class will), switching on the flashers below 35 mph. After coming to a stop (in the lane), the doors are unlocked and an emergency call is made to summon assistance.
CAR-TO-X COMMUNICATIONS
S-Class cars will join the conversation already happening between all new E-Classes and the Mercedes-Benz cloud, sharing live traffic information about icy road conditions, hard braking events, etc. and also passing along certain infrastructural information from organizations that partner with Mercedes-Benz. In Germany, that includes the instant location of moving autobahn mowing crews. In the U.S., it could soon involve lots of information from the mapping/traffic-info aggregating firm Here, in which Mercedes holds part ownership. Mercedes is currently using the cellular network for such communications while the industry awaits unique spectrum allowance.
TRAFFIC-JAM ASSIST
As before, the adaptive cruise system will follow the car in front right down to a stop. Now it will automatically resume following said car if it moves off again within 30 seconds.
REMOTE PARKING ASSIST
At the end of your partially autonomous journey, let the S-Class park itself, either using the parallel and perpendicular park assist function. Or for narrow and barely accessible spots, hop out and let a smartphone app maneuver it up to 50 feet away, negotiating around obstacles and even folding the mirrors if necessary.
03-18-2017, 11:11 PM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
First Impression: New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Driving Assistance Systems
By Des Sellmeyer - 17th March 2017
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Autonomous driving is coming! That is the message Mercedes-Benz is sending to the world with the upcoming introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the advanced new and updated assistance systems on board. I had an exclusive first preview of these updated driving assistance systems that take another leap forwards towards autonomous driving.
Before I continue it is important to stress that the new systems available on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are still so called ‘level 2’ systems which means the driver is responsible for everything the car does and should be aware of the situation at all times. The same goes for systems from other manufacturers currently on the market.
New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Driving Assistance Systems
Having said that Mercedes-Benz is about the introduce a few new features that will provide further aid and assistance to the driver and with a bit of imagination you can tell the next step is not all that far away.
To experience the systems first hand I’m whisked from the Mercedes-Benz R&D facility in Sindelfingen to a S-Class prototype covered in the typical wrap that you may know from the spy shots. To demonstrate and test the new assistance systems Mercedes-Benz used the most exclusive model of the current line-up: a Mercedes-Maybach S600.
I’m kindly requested to take place at the passenger seat – no driving today as permission to drive this pre-production prototype is limited to Mercedes-Benz engineers only. The drive of about one hour should demonstrate a couple of new systems of which ‘Active Distance Assist Distronic’ is the most significant one.
Active Distance Assist Distronic is a fancy new name for a further development of the existing Distronic adaptive cruise control. On the new S-Class Distronic uses a combination of sensors and high definition map data provided by Here to adapt the speed not only based on traffic that the sensors can see but also based on corners, roundabouts and other road features that usually require a driver to slow down.
In addition the new Active Speed Limit Assist automatically adjusts the speed of the car to the speed limit on a certain part of road. Again using a combination of sensors and data available from the maps the car adapts to the speed limit so speeding tickets are a thing of the past.
Active Steering Assist already saw a major improvement with the introduction of the new E-Class but has been tweaked further to be more precise and able to aid the driver in more situations. One part of it is the ability to follow cars in a traffic jam and stop and go traffic with stops up to 30 seconds. Remote parking assist will now allow you to park the 2018 version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with an app on your smartphone.
Active Lane Change Assist can perform overtaking manoeuvres on dual carriageways taking into account traffic coming from behind and valid road rules.
Last but not least there is Active Emergency Stop Assist which recognizes when a driver is not responding and automatically bring the car to a safe and controlled stop.
The first thing I notice when we start our journey is that the controls for the distronic and steering assistance are moved from a lever behind the steering wheel to a new set of buttons on the left side of the steering wheel itself. This should provide quicker access and clearer controls.
Interesting is that the active distance assist functionality works even when there is no destination set in the navigation system. Prototypes from even more advanced level 3 systems we have tested recently require a destination to make use of the map data and adapt to the route but Mercedes-Benz has found a way to know where a driver is going even without the destination.
Engaging is the system is easy for everyone who has ever used adaptive cruise control. Enable the system and it will hold your speed and brake automatically when something appears in its way. The first real test during my drive comes after about one kilometer when we have to exit the main road and make a sharp right turn. Looking closely at the drivers leg I can see he is nowhere near the paddles but the car brakes for the corner and the driver only has to turn the wheel. The speed is still set to the maximum speed of the road – in this case 70 km/h. After the corner the S-Class prototype accelerates back to 70.
The level of acceleration depends on the drive setting of the car – in economy it is very gentle to preserve fuel, in comfort it accelerates a bit faster and backs of the throttle a bit later before a corner and in sport and sport+ its behaviour is more sporty.
We continue onto the autobahn and I have the opportunity to witness the active lane change system. Touch the indicator briefly and the system will initiate a lane change. It checks a set of parameters in a split second – is the lane next to the car clear, is there no traffic coming, are we on a highway or two lane b-road and is there no overtaking restriction – and starts its move. It feels very natural although the range of the rear radar (80 meter) might not be enough to recognize other cars coming up fast from behind on the German autobahn per example. So drivers really have to keep an eye on the moves the car is making at all times.
Leaving the autobahn behind us we head down some b-roads through some villages and this is where the new active distance assist and speed limit assist systems really shine. Every situation – whether a corner or a roundabout is recognized and displayed in the center of the screen in front of the driver. For a corner the car slows down to a speed that is estimated based on how sharp the turn is, what angle it is taking and other specifics supplied through the map data. In most cases it is hard to tell if the car is braking or the driver which is certainly a good sign. The speed limits are interpreted well and the car flawlessly changes pace between the allowed 100 km/h extra-urban, 50 km/h in towns and 70 km/h in certain other areas. On the autobahn it sticks to the advised speed of 130 km/h but you can overrule the speed at any time by raising or lowering it with the buttons on the steering wheel.
Coming up to a roundabout the car slows down to a speed with which you can drive through it. There is one catch though, when there is a car coming it won’t stop so the driver has to be alert and ready to brake to a full stop. I also noticed the steering assist icon that normally lights green when it is actively assisting the driver with steering inputs turn grey just before the roundabout or intersection which means the system is on standby and the driver has to steer himself. This is certainly being worked on but will not be introduced until it works flawless in 99,99% of the situations. Another situation drivers still have to look out for are traffic lights which are not recognized yet.
Overall the new systems show that we are moving towards (part) autonomous driving rapidly. From a hardware and software perspective level 3 autonomous driving systems are closer than ever requiring lawmakers around the world to step up their game and provide the legal framework to enable next generation cars to drive autonomously in certain situations – highway journeys per example. We certainly can’t wait until boring congested journeys can be turned in to effective work or leisure time!
By Des Sellmeyer - 17th March 2017
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Autonomous driving is coming! That is the message Mercedes-Benz is sending to the world with the upcoming introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the advanced new and updated assistance systems on board. I had an exclusive first preview of these updated driving assistance systems that take another leap forwards towards autonomous driving.
Before I continue it is important to stress that the new systems available on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class are still so called ‘level 2’ systems which means the driver is responsible for everything the car does and should be aware of the situation at all times. The same goes for systems from other manufacturers currently on the market.
New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Driving Assistance Systems
Having said that Mercedes-Benz is about the introduce a few new features that will provide further aid and assistance to the driver and with a bit of imagination you can tell the next step is not all that far away.
To experience the systems first hand I’m whisked from the Mercedes-Benz R&D facility in Sindelfingen to a S-Class prototype covered in the typical wrap that you may know from the spy shots. To demonstrate and test the new assistance systems Mercedes-Benz used the most exclusive model of the current line-up: a Mercedes-Maybach S600.
I’m kindly requested to take place at the passenger seat – no driving today as permission to drive this pre-production prototype is limited to Mercedes-Benz engineers only. The drive of about one hour should demonstrate a couple of new systems of which ‘Active Distance Assist Distronic’ is the most significant one.
Active Distance Assist Distronic is a fancy new name for a further development of the existing Distronic adaptive cruise control. On the new S-Class Distronic uses a combination of sensors and high definition map data provided by Here to adapt the speed not only based on traffic that the sensors can see but also based on corners, roundabouts and other road features that usually require a driver to slow down.
In addition the new Active Speed Limit Assist automatically adjusts the speed of the car to the speed limit on a certain part of road. Again using a combination of sensors and data available from the maps the car adapts to the speed limit so speeding tickets are a thing of the past.
Active Steering Assist already saw a major improvement with the introduction of the new E-Class but has been tweaked further to be more precise and able to aid the driver in more situations. One part of it is the ability to follow cars in a traffic jam and stop and go traffic with stops up to 30 seconds. Remote parking assist will now allow you to park the 2018 version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with an app on your smartphone.
Active Lane Change Assist can perform overtaking manoeuvres on dual carriageways taking into account traffic coming from behind and valid road rules.
Last but not least there is Active Emergency Stop Assist which recognizes when a driver is not responding and automatically bring the car to a safe and controlled stop.
The first thing I notice when we start our journey is that the controls for the distronic and steering assistance are moved from a lever behind the steering wheel to a new set of buttons on the left side of the steering wheel itself. This should provide quicker access and clearer controls.
Interesting is that the active distance assist functionality works even when there is no destination set in the navigation system. Prototypes from even more advanced level 3 systems we have tested recently require a destination to make use of the map data and adapt to the route but Mercedes-Benz has found a way to know where a driver is going even without the destination.
Engaging is the system is easy for everyone who has ever used adaptive cruise control. Enable the system and it will hold your speed and brake automatically when something appears in its way. The first real test during my drive comes after about one kilometer when we have to exit the main road and make a sharp right turn. Looking closely at the drivers leg I can see he is nowhere near the paddles but the car brakes for the corner and the driver only has to turn the wheel. The speed is still set to the maximum speed of the road – in this case 70 km/h. After the corner the S-Class prototype accelerates back to 70.
The level of acceleration depends on the drive setting of the car – in economy it is very gentle to preserve fuel, in comfort it accelerates a bit faster and backs of the throttle a bit later before a corner and in sport and sport+ its behaviour is more sporty.
We continue onto the autobahn and I have the opportunity to witness the active lane change system. Touch the indicator briefly and the system will initiate a lane change. It checks a set of parameters in a split second – is the lane next to the car clear, is there no traffic coming, are we on a highway or two lane b-road and is there no overtaking restriction – and starts its move. It feels very natural although the range of the rear radar (80 meter) might not be enough to recognize other cars coming up fast from behind on the German autobahn per example. So drivers really have to keep an eye on the moves the car is making at all times.
Leaving the autobahn behind us we head down some b-roads through some villages and this is where the new active distance assist and speed limit assist systems really shine. Every situation – whether a corner or a roundabout is recognized and displayed in the center of the screen in front of the driver. For a corner the car slows down to a speed that is estimated based on how sharp the turn is, what angle it is taking and other specifics supplied through the map data. In most cases it is hard to tell if the car is braking or the driver which is certainly a good sign. The speed limits are interpreted well and the car flawlessly changes pace between the allowed 100 km/h extra-urban, 50 km/h in towns and 70 km/h in certain other areas. On the autobahn it sticks to the advised speed of 130 km/h but you can overrule the speed at any time by raising or lowering it with the buttons on the steering wheel.
Coming up to a roundabout the car slows down to a speed with which you can drive through it. There is one catch though, when there is a car coming it won’t stop so the driver has to be alert and ready to brake to a full stop. I also noticed the steering assist icon that normally lights green when it is actively assisting the driver with steering inputs turn grey just before the roundabout or intersection which means the system is on standby and the driver has to steer himself. This is certainly being worked on but will not be introduced until it works flawless in 99,99% of the situations. Another situation drivers still have to look out for are traffic lights which are not recognized yet.
Overall the new systems show that we are moving towards (part) autonomous driving rapidly. From a hardware and software perspective level 3 autonomous driving systems are closer than ever requiring lawmakers around the world to step up their game and provide the legal framework to enable next generation cars to drive autonomously in certain situations – highway journeys per example. We certainly can’t wait until boring congested journeys can be turned in to effective work or leisure time!
