They now provide the penultimate level of autonomy.
As reported by CnEVPost According to an official press release from Mercedes-Benz, the German automaker has received permission from Chinese authorities to test prototypes of vehicles equipped with an active driver assistance system that meets the SAE Level 4 autonomy classification. This means that the automation is capable of acting independently in the vast majority of driving situations, and only in some cases requires the driver to take control. Only Level 5 is a higher level of automation, which does not require any driver intervention at all.
Image source: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is the first foreign automaker to receive permission to conduct such tests in China. The prototypes of this brand will be able to independently make left turns, U-turns, go around obstacles, leave and park in parking spaces. When driving on country roads, the automation will allow Mercedes-Benz cars to pass interchanges and change into the next lane if the vehicle in front decides to slow down. On toll roads, the car will be able to drive through toll booths on its own, slowing down in front of the barrier. If the traffic situation is too difficult, the automation will find a safe place to stop and slow the car down to a standstill.
