Mercedes-Benz and autonomous driving technology company Momenta are collaborating to develop a robotaxi service based on the S-Class sedan. This initiative involves local mobility provider Lumo for fleet operations. The partners have announced a driverless shuttle service following a successful initial test phase.
Highlights
- Partners launch SAE Level 4 S-Class robotaxi pilot.
- Lumo to operate the initial fleet in Abu Dhabi.
- Project utilizes proprietary MB.OS operating system technology.
- Initiative complements ongoing global autonomous driving testing.
Operational Strategy in Abu Dhabi
The first S-Class test vehicles will deploy on roads in Abu Dhabi. Lumo will serve as the local operator for this robotaxi fleet. Lumo is a subsidiary of the technology company K2.
K2 recently received federal approval to operate autonomous vehicles in the UAE. Initial deployments begin in Abu Dhabi with plans for potential expansion into other markets. This project provides critical data for commercial and end-customer applications.
Technological Foundation and MB.OS
The operating system of the new S-Class is a primary enabler for this pilot. Mercedes-Benz leverages its proprietary MB.OS to manage the vehicle’s functions. The system integrates advanced hardware and software to ensure safety.
Joerg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, stated:
“With a robotaxi S-Class, we raise the bar for automated mobility — always combining safety and comfort to set new standards for the industry and intelligent transportation worldwide.”
Collaboration with Nvidia
Mercedes-Benz is simultaneously exploring other SAE Level 4 projects. The automaker is investigating a robotaxi ecosystem based on Nvidia’s Drive AV platform. This runs in parallel to the Momenta collaboration.
This multi-pronged approach aims to accelerate autonomous driving development. The S-Class remains the focal point for these chauffeured Level 4 experiences. It combines luxury automotive engineering with high-level computation.
Global Testing and Validation
Mercedes-Benz continues to expand its testing footprint globally. The company was the first international automaker to receive approval for SAE Level 4 testing in Beijing. These tests utilize designated urban roads and highways.
Sensor Integration
The Beijing project focuses on multi-sensor perception. It verifies system performance across various traffic conditions. The test vehicles utilize a specific sensor array designed for high automation:
- LiDAR systems for depth perception.
- Radar sensors for object detection.
- Cameras for visual recognition.
Legacy of Automated Driving
Mercedes-Benz continues to iterate on driver assistance technologies. The company has offered SAE Level 2 systems for years to assist with speed and steering. Newer iterations include MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO for point-to-point navigation.
The automaker also secured the first international system approval for conditionally automated driving in 2021. DRIVE PILOT represents the world’s fastest SAE Level 3 system. Future targets include increasing the system’s operational speed to 130 km/h within five years.
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