[lake_eleven]

So what?

https://www.slashgear.com/mercedes-b...mean-13702207/

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by lake_eleven

So what?

https://www.slashgear.com/mercedes-b...mean-13702207/

If nothing else, it will push some other manufacturers to deal with theirs and try to keep up.

[sigmabody]

As usual, autonomous driving capabilities are far more hype than reality. This carefully worded statement does not mean "approved for the world", it means "approved per Germany's law, which we're calling 'world's first', even though it's not actually the first in the world".

Personally, I'm still waiting for just a dynamic cruise control system which drives reasonably smoothly, and I'd feel comfortable using (ie: not the one on the BMW). If auto manufacturers cannot even make a system which doesn't feel like a spastic toddler with a lead boot is driving the vehicle, I have really low confidence for a good fully-autonomous experience any time soon.

[smrtypants44]

Level 3 is a big deal. It eliminates lots of the issues with current level 2 systems- expecting the driver to still pay attention to driving when they are letting the car drive for them.

[Saenenj]

Strange that Tesla is not at level 3.

[Sedoy]

My guess is that Tesla's autopilot and Cadillac's SC are still ahead, but Germans made a political decision to grant MB level 3 to keep up with overwhelming competition in this new world of autonomy and electric cars.

Originally Posted by Saenenj

Strange that Tesla is not at level 3.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

Level 3 is a big deal. It eliminates lots of the issues with current level 2 systems- expecting the driver to still pay attention to driving when they are letting the car drive for them.

Airplanes still require pilots to monitor how the auto pilot is flying the plane. In controlled airspace, the FAA tracks each aircraft with radar and ADS-B and has multiple active and passive backup systems to prevent collisions. And airplanes are separated by both distance (typical is still 5NM) and altitude.

Ground vehicle traffic has none of these safety systems and rely only on on-vehicle cameras and radar (in some versions) to avoid collisions. And there are only two dimensions that a car can use to avoid another car, with both of those axes constrained with immovable objects.

If I have to watch the car drive itself, I'll just drive it myself; it's really not that difficult. Taking responsibility for my own safety eliminates lots of issues with the current level-2 systems. LOL.

[Murf993]

As much as there is a large percentage of people on the road who literally shouldn't be driving, the idea of autonomous cars scares the shit out of me. The fact that there are systems out there that require driver monitoring doesn't give me any peace, you just have to watch people crossing the road with their nose in there smartphone to realize people aren't capable of doing two things at once. So drive your damn car.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by Murf993

As much as there is a large percentage of people on the road who literally shouldn't be driving, the idea of autonomous cars scares the shit out of me. The fact that there are systems out there that require driver monitoring doesn't give me any peace, you just have to watch people crossing the road with their nose in there smartphone to realize people aren't capable of doing two things at once. So drive your damn car.

But the folk who aren't paying any attention are still going to drive, so I'd rather there was a computer involved that was at least attempting to not kill everyone.

The problem of what to do if for some reason the car encounters a situation where the morally correct decision it to steer directly at a concrete wall and kill the occupants...that scares the crap out of me, even though I agree with the decision