While Tesla appears to be cruising along with its Fully Self-Driving beta program launch, Mercedes-Benz, together with Bosch as a partner, has developed a different solution. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority has granted the two firms regulatory certification for an automated valet system for December 2022. The system was first displayed in 2017, and since 2020, tests have conducted at Bosch-Mercedes’ airport station in Stuttgart.
What Is The Mechanism Of The Mercedes-Bosch Automatic Valet System?
The Mercedes Me app sends the car to a designated parking space. The technology, now known as Bosch-Mercedes Automated Valet parking, merely requires the driver to leave the car at a designated drop-off point at the entrance of a parking lot or car park. When a pickup requested, the car moves autonomously from the parking area to another pickup spot. Allowing you to go without searching through a crowded parking lot for your car.
The cars can place closer together because the system does not require a person to drive about looking for a parking space. According to Mercedes and Bosch, this can increase car park efficiency by up to 20%. The valet achieves this by combining the car’s automated driving skills with sensors developed by Bosch that placed in the parking lot. The sensors provide additional data to the car’s internal sensors, allowing it to make more informed decisions that reduce the risk of accidents.
The system now rated at level four of the SAE scale for self-driving capability, which is significant to Bosch-Mercedes. At this level, the vehicle can run without human assistance, its operation restricted to a geofenced area. And most crucially, the corporation, not the driver, is responsible for any accidents or damages. Additionally, the sensors can retrofit existing car parks, including multi-story ones frequently found at airports or other business places.
What Are Supported Cars And Parking Lots?
Only Mercedes’ S-Class and EQS cars produced after July 2022 that have the Intelligent Park Pilot option activated using the Mercedes Me app can now use the technology. It is currently located in the Stuttgart airport’s P6 parking area, which Apcoa Airport Parking Management runs. Nevertheless, Mercedes tested the system here, holding a demonstration in a parking garage in Los Angeles in March of this year.
What Does It Mean for Non-Tesla Self-Driving Technologies?
Even though Tesla is still arguably in the lead regarding fully automated self-driving systems due to the reliability and accuracy of its systems, demonstrations and implementations like these show that the competition is closing in quickly. Mercedes has been advancing its Drive Pilot self-driving technology for heavy trucks.
Drive Pilot is presently only available for usage in Germany and is getting ready to launch in the United States. Drive Pilot is similar to GM’s Super Cruise or Ford’s Blue Cruise in that it only works on mapped highways with top speeds of 37 mph. In addition, unlike Germany, where the system’s equivalent may legally compelled to use only this system, the United States has no limitations. Though, Mercedes isn’t at ease going any higher when the system is just getting started.
