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Mercedes Receives Permission From Chinese Authorities To Test Level Four Autonomy
Mercedes-Benz has received the “green light” from the Chinese authorities to test self-driving cars with level four autonomy in the region making it the first foreign company with this permit.
The approval came last weekend, so Mercedes’ self-driving test cars are now allowed to drive in most situations without the need for humans to take control. The company will focus on manoeuvres such as U-turns, lane changes, and roundabouts, as well as movements at toll booths in Beijing.
In December last year, Mercedes-Benz received permission to test cars with level 3 autonomy in China, and these vehicles do not require constant human attention but may ask the driver to take control at times. The company claims to use a minimal-risk strategy to make its self-driving cars safe.
And while Mercedes leads foreign car manufacturers, some Chinese companies are already in the game. Baidu, Hongqi, and WeRide are already testing self-driving cars with level 4 autonomy.
Tesla, another big player in the field of autonomous driving, is still working on getting full approval for its Full Self-Driving System in China, which should be completed by the end of the year. The company previously received trial approvals and tested 10 cars with FSD software in June. It should be said that Tesla’s FSD is generally considered second-level autonomy, which means that drivers must keep their hands on the steering wheel at all times and constantly monitor the situation. Tesla’s approach is unique because every driver using FSD actually helps improve the system through real-world testing.
Other car companies are also making moves in China, with GM and SAIC launching Level 2 autonomy software last month.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sets standards for levels of autonomous driving. The second level requires mandatory driver supervision; the third allows drivers to take their eyes off the road and may need to take control at some point; and the fourth and fifth levels of autonomy require no driver at all.
Automakers are racing to perfect self-driving car technology, and the competition is getting tougher.
