Exhilarating Mercedes Experience: Gaming Enthusiast Takes On the Road with Eyes Wide Shut

On a cloudy day in Los Angeles, I ventured out in search of a traffic jam, a common occurrence in the city. My goal was to experience Mercedes-Benz's latest technology designed specifically for these frustrating situations.

Introducing the Drive Pilot system by Mercedes, which seamlessly takes control of the gas, brakes, and steering when you're driving under 40 miles an hour on the highway. Its primary purpose is to keep you in sync with the traffic flow, allowing you to sit back and relax without the need to actively focus on the road ahead. Mercedes even provides entertainment options, accessible through the center touch screen, to keep you occupied during these slow-moving moments.

If you are using Drive Pilot on any of the highways that Mercedes has 3D-mapped, and you happen to encounter a traffic jam, you will notice that the lights on the steering wheel start blinking white. This indicates that the system is ready to work. Simply press a button on the steering wheel rim, and the lights will transition to a turquoise blue color. From this point on, you are no longer required to hold the steering wheel or keep an eye on the road.

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VW will be conducting tests on self-driving technology using electric Microbuses with a retro design. It is the first instance where a leading automobile manufacturer will make a system available for purchase that will actually drive the vehicle on behalf of the driver. While other systems may have basic steering and brake functionality, the driver is still required to remain vigilant and oversee all operations. However, with Drive Pilot, drivers have the freedom to completely relax, even at lower speeds.

If someone were to be involved in an accident while utilizing this system, as long as they are using it correctly and the car has been adequately maintained, Mercedes will assume the responsibility. The system has already been accessible in Germany for over a year, and, thus far, no individuals have needed to avail themselves of this option. (Mercedes chose not to disclose the number of German drivers who have purchased Drive Pilot, therefore it is unclear how impressive this truly is.)

The caveats

Drive Pilot has several restrictions that even a pharmaceutical ad writer would find envious. Firstly, it is currently only legal in two states in the United States, namely Nevada and California. Moreover, if you were to purchase a car equipped with this system in one of these states, it will cease to function once you cross the state border. Secondly, it can only operate when you are driving behind another vehicle in a traffic jam at speeds below 40 miles per hour, and it is ineffective in the dark or during rainfall. (Moisture sensors in the wheel wells detect wet road conditions.)

There are additional conditions as well: Although you are not required to pay attention, you must remain prepared and focused enough to assume control when the system prompts you to do so. This means that you cannot recline your seat excessively, as the system will notify you with lights and sounds if it determines that you are too far back. The same applies if you turn around in your seat to look behind you. However, you can briefly close your eyes or glance at the screen as long as you remain physically prepared to take over. Cameras and sensors within the vehicle ensure that you are not too far out of position.

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Furthermore, using your phone while driving is strongly discouraged for two compelling reasons. Firstly, while this practice may be permissible in the state of California, it remains illegal and unsafe nonetheless. Secondly, Mercedes highlights the potential risk it poses, as your smartphone could pose a danger to your face in the unfortunate event of an airbag deployment.

Despite these limitations, it is undeniably convenient to have the liberty of not paying attention during one of the most exasperating phases of any journey. You are no longer required to attentively observe the vehicle ahead of you, anticipating its movements and sudden stops, while simultaneously monitoring the vehicles on either side to prevent any unauthorized intrusions. The car takes care of these tasks effortlessly on your behalf.

The downside

However, there is a drawback to the car functioning independently while you are not fully engaged. Drive Pilot effectively keeps a distance between the Mercedes and the car ahead. Nonetheless, given that human drivers often display impatience and aggression, it is inevitable that someone will attempt to abruptly merge in front of you once they detect that vacant space. I personally encountered this situation on a couple of occasions during my test drive.

Drive Pilot reacted like many other automated driving systems do in similar situations - by abruptly applying the brakes. Normally, I wouldn't have been too bothered by it. It's always better to brake too hard than not hard enough. However, I was engrossed in a trivia game on the center screen, completely unaware of my surroundings. It was then that the car suddenly jolted to a near halt.

If I had been paying attention to the road, I might have been mentally prepared for this unexpected maneuver. However, I was caught off guard and had to scan my surroundings to understand what was happening. Thankfully, the next time the car abruptly slowed down, I was startled but at least had an idea of what was probably causing it.

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When the car required my attention, such as when the car in front accelerated to over 40 mph, warning lights flashed on the steering wheel. Here's where things became a bit complex. I pressed a button to disable the system, and the car began to decelerate gradually. I was unsure of what was happening. Prior to encountering a traffic jam, I had been using the car's adaptive cruise system. This feature allows the car to stay in its lane and follow the vehicle in front of me, but I still needed to remain alert and hold the steering wheel. (In this mode, the car even has the capability to change lanes autonomously, which is not possible in Drive Pilot.)

I had assumed that deactivating Drive Pilot would return the car to this semi-autonomous mode. However, that was not the case. Instead, the vehicle continued to slow down, leaving me perplexed until I realized the situation and pressed the accelerator pedal to prevent a rear-end collision. This phenomenon is referred to as "mode confusion" and can pose a serious safety risk.

I am not convinced that this system is worth the money in the end, at least not at this time. The price is not entirely clear as Mercedes has only revealed that it is $2,500 for the first year. What about the second year? Is it possibly nothing? This has yet to be determined.

Additionally, the system is currently limited to Mercedes' two priciest sedan models: the gasoline-powered S-class and the electric EQS. This alone contributes to its high cost. The S-class starts at a price of $114,500, while the EQS is approximately $10,000 less. It remains uncertain when Mercedes will make the system available on more affordable models.