Tag Archives: Autonomous driving

STLA AutoDrive is Stellantis’ first automated driving system

Stellantis has developed its first automated driving system that enables hands-free and eyes-off driving (SAE Level 3), STLA AutoDrive. This system operates at speeds up to 60 km/h and is designed primarily for city traffic.

STLA AutoDrive is Stellantis’s response to similar competitor systems, which allows the driver to enjoy driving more because the car can now steer, brake and monitor traffic independently thanks to an advanced sensor system and automatic sensor cleaning that ensure stable operation. The driver can use this time for other tasks, such as answering emails or simply relaxing.

The system is designed on a flexible platform and supports cloud-based software upgrades, which will enable incremental functionality. At higher speeds, the system operates in Level 2 and 2+ modes (adaptive cruise control and lane positioning). At that moment, the driver’s attention is required so that he can intervene in time if necessary.

Also, Stellantis announced that in the future, some models could receive Hands-Free and Eyes-Off upgrades, which enable independent driving at speeds of up to 95 km/h and off-road autopilot.

Source: Stellantis

Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot enables a speed of up to 95 km/h

As announced in September, Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot officially enables autonomous driving at 95 km/h. It is the fastest certified SAE Level 3 autonomous driving system for production vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz cars have become the fastest cars in the world homologated with a level 3 autonomous driving system. “With the help of this system, our customers can use their time more efficiently. Mercedes-Benz is once again setting standards in the industry and is constantly paving the way for autonomous driving.” said Markus Schafer, member of the Board of Management of the Mercedes-Benz Group.

Drive Pilot is available as an option for the S-Class and EQS and costs 5,950 euros including tax. Cars equipped with the system will receive the upgrade for free via Over-the-Air Update or during a service visit. No hardware changes are required.

Mercedes’ autonomous system has a redundant architecture that includes electronics, steering and brakes. All key functions are secured in case of failure. If the driver does not take control for any reason, Drive Pilot will automatically stop the vehicle and activate the warning lights.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

BMW cars are moving autonomously in the plant

Before self-driving cars become a reality on the roads around the world, some manufacturers have decided to use this feature to increase production efficiency. One of the places where self-driving cars are moving without drivers is BMW’s factories in Dingolfing and Leipzig.

In these plants, the 5 Series and 7 Series models, after assembly, move independently along a marked route from the production area to a small test track and then to the finishing area. It is an Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW) system, and the vehicles move thanks to LiDAR sensors placed along the route, which cooperate with an external motion planner and an environmental model that controls the vehicle’s movement.

BMW plans to equip the Leipzig plant so that in the future 80 percent of the cars produced at this plant can move autonomously. The plan is also to expand this system to other plants.

Source: BMW

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