It's a widely used joke that F1 cars could probably drive themselves these days, so asking Lewis Hamilton to launch the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, complete with ‘Drive Pilot’, could be an inspired move by the German automotive firm.
The new 2020 S-Class will come complete with the automated drive system, which could become legal if the UK government passes legislation next year, making it one of the few cars on the road that can actually drive itself.
The Automated Lane Keeping System technology which is already installed into many Teslas is being considered by MPs as to its viability on the UK road network, and S-Class owners will be keen to see the laws passed.
The technology which uses a combination of cameras, radar and Lidar, with precise GPS and Wi-Fi positioning to maintain the vehicle at a safe driving speed and distance in one lane, allowing the driver to read a book or check their emails whilst they are behind the wheel.
Warning systems will give the driver 10 seconds to take back control should the conditions change.
“The home office will soon be mobile – including for people behind the wheel. Mercedes-Benz is determined to enable, in technical terms, the safe operation of an S-Class driving in conditionally automated mode and to meet the exacting legal requirements for what is known as a Level 3 system,” Mercedes said in their marketing material for the new car.
“It is expected that from the second half of 2021 the S-Class will be able to drive in conditionally automated mode.
“By taking pressure off the driver, this allows them to undertake secondary activities such as browsing on the internet or dealing with emails in the In-Car Office, and so win extra time.”