Mercedes S-Class No Longer Needs You Behind The Wheel

Earlier this year, Nvidia revealed Mercedes was working on an autonomous S-Class that would deliver an “exceptional chauffeured Level 4 experience.” While that’s still a ways off, the company has now confirmed an assortment of projects spanning the globe.
 

The most notable is a collaboration with Momenta, which will see the automaker launch a Level 4 robotaxi based on the S-Class. The project will kick off in Abu Dhabi and be supported locally by Lumo. The latter firm will operate the fleet and the companies eventually plan to enter additional markets.
 
Mercedes hasn’t shared much about the vehicle itself, but Chief Technology Officer Joerg Burzer said the autonomous S-Class will “raise the bar for automated mobility.” He added the model will “set new standards for the industry and intelligent transportation worldwide.”
 
Technical specifics remain mostly under wraps, but the images released by the automaker appear to show the car has been equipped with a roof-mounted Lidar sensor. They’re joined by cameras or sensors that are mounted on the mirrors and front fenders.
 
Mercedes said the effort in Abu Dhabi complements their other Level 4 programs. They noted some of these are focused on customer-owned vehicles, while other projects target commercial applications.
 
While we already knew about the consumer-focused Level 4 S-Class with Nvidia technology, the company also confirmed they’re exploring a Level 4 robotaxi based on Nvidia’s Drive AV platform.
 
This would give them both public and private vehicles that can be operated without a driver in certain scenarios. These appear to use the same or similar technology, likely making the dual approach relatively cost effective.
 

Mercedes already offers Level 3 semi-autonomous driving technology and became the first international automaker to receive approval for Level 4 testing in Beijing.
 
The company said these S-Class prototypes studied “multi-sensor perception in highly automated driving, verifying system performance under various conditions and exploring the deep integration of perception.”
 
S-Class Facelift Could Debut Next Month
In other S-Class news, Handelsblatt is reporting a “significantly revised” flagship sedan will be unveiled in late January. Spy photographers have caught the facelifted model on numerous occasions and it’s expected to get a starry makeover.
 
Besides new head- and taillights, we can expect a supersized grille that loosely recalls the one used on the Vision Iconic concept. It will be joined by modified bumpers and other styling tweaks.
 
While most facelifts are focused on the exterior, the cabin will be completely revamped. As part of the makeover, we can expect an all-new dashboard with an MBUX Hyperscreen. The model will also have revised consoles and an updated steering wheel.