This achievement marks a significant step towards enhancing public acceptance of automated driving technology and improving road safety.
In California, Mercedes-Benz has secured an exemption permit for testing vehicles equipped with these marker lights, which is initially valid for two years.
The Nevada permit applies to Mercedes-Benz Model Year 2026 production vehicles and will remain in effect until there is a statutory modification with the state legislature.
These marker lights are turquoise-coloured and integrated into the front and rear lights as well as the two outside mirrors of Mercedes-Benz testing vehicles.
The purpose of these marker lights is to make the status of the automated driving system clearly visible from the exterior, allowing other road users, traffic law enforcement, and police officers to identify whether the vehicle is operating in automated mode.
The first use case for these marker lights will be with Mercedes-Benz testing vehicles in California equipped with Drive Pilot, which is a Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving that has received certification in Germany and California.
Turquoise was chosen as the marker light colour due to its high visibility and differentiation from existing vehicle lighting and traffic signals.
Mercedes-Benz said it is working to standardise the use of turquoise marker lights as a means to visualise the automated driving state, with a goal to eventually foster global acceptance of this technology.
