Consult or write a text message, read a book, play a video game… these are activities that are currently strictly prohibited while driving. And so it will always be from this Thursday, September 1 in France, even if the legal framework changes, creating for the first time the possibility of repealing this rule of the driver strictly concentrated (in theory) on driving the vehicle.
A first legal framework for “autonomous” driving
voted me’Last year, on September 1, several decrees came into force to regulate this “hands-free” behavior. A first: top’here, even in the most advanced vehicles capable of highly assisted driving, the driver is required to remain attentive and keep the steering wheel in hand to react at all times if necessary.
In these models, which are already quite common even among consumer brands, we find the duo formed by the adaptive cruise control (which adapts the speed of the vehicle depending on who is driving in front of you) and the following of the lines of the road. . With a steering wheel that therefore moves “on its own” but must be held in the hand otherwise’to be remembered’order through alerts and progressive deactivation of driving aids.
A level of autonomous driving called level 2, according to the classification that distinguishes 6 levels of’autonomy, from 0 without any assistance, to level 5 where the vehicle’you don’t even need steering wheel and pedal anymore.
What does level 3 autonomous driving enable?
Specifically, level 3 autonomous driving allows the driver to (really) do something else while the vehicle is in motion. At the moment, the framework is quite restricted as the function cannot’activate only on predefined routes and on two models marketed by Mercedes: the S-Class and the’EQS.
And these two models, very high-end at more than 110,000 euros, will not even allow their drivers to drive “hands-free” in France from September 1… since this function does not’it is currently only offered on 13,191 km of supported roads in Germany. Mainly highways where the “Drive Pilot” function can be’activate in a high traffic area and even’at 60 km/h. A first step before potentially increasing this speed limit.
Once this mode is activated, the driver can read an article, consult his phone or even access certain functions accessible from the’screen letting your vehicle drive forward on its own.
On the other hand, you can’t take a nap because you need to be able to get back behind the wheel quickly. Constantly looking back or even leaving the driver’s seat is also prohibited, Mercedes told us.
In France, there’It is not yet possible to give a release date for the’“Drive Pilot” option, not yet offered by the brand in its S-Class and EQS. In Germany, production of the high-definition mapping provided by Here on roads where the feature can be activated took around two years. This work began in France and’further steps will be required before this feature can be offered
A question of responsibility in case of’accident
Fundamental question of this legal framework that, therefore, authorizes autonomous driving: it will be the vehicle manufacturer who will respond in the event of’accident when these functions are activated.
against’It is what explains the very restrictive conditions for the moment of the “Drive Pilot” in Mercedes. A brand like Tesla, well known for its misleadingly named driving assistant, “Autopilot”, shouldn’t rush to get this level 3 approval in Europe either. It will continue, however, because obtaining this certification now seems essential to considering “hands-free” driving in Europe. What’Tesla points out with his most advanced version of the’Autopilot, the FSD (for “Fully Autonomous Driving” or “Fully Autonomous Driving Capability” in France).
areas of’However, there are still some shadows: for example, who will be responsible if an accident occurs when the vehicle asks the driver to take control? Or again, how do you really know?’ensure that users will not play too much with the rules that frame these assistants?
This legal framework already allows’anticipate future technological developments around level 3 or higher autonomous driving. Yes’other brands are working on advanced systems, Mercedes is positioning itself as a pioneer in this new framework. Next steps for the homologation of this level of the brand in the’star: the United States, with California and Nevada planned for the end of 2022. Pilot projects are also underway in three Chinese regions.
Source: BFM TV
