What's the news?
More news on that forthcoming Mercedes-Benz E-Class we told you about recently, this time the German manufacturer walking us through one of its semi-autonomous driver assist systems, called Active Lane Change Assist (ALCA).
Using radar- and camera-based technology, and as part of the Drive Pilot software, ALCA can automatically steer the E-Class into the next lane of a dual carriageway or motorway - once the driver has activated the turn indicator for more than two seconds.
It will only shift lanes in the direction of indication if it detects there are no other cars in the vicinity, and front- and rear-facing cameras factor in the speed of any approaching vehicles to determine if the manoeuvre is safe.
Mercedes is currently trying to get this system approval for use all over Europe (Germany has already okayed it), but if it does go ahead, the company says the following criteria must be met for automatic lane changes: the indicator has to have been on for more than two seconds; the unoccupied zone detection system allows a lane change within three seconds; Steering Pilot is activated; the E-Class has to be on a multilane, motorway-type road, detected via Comand Online's satnav module; a separate lane has to be picked up by the stereo camera; and the speed of the car must be between 80- and 180km/h.
Overrides for the system include the sensors detecting an obstacle, if it can no longer see lane markings, if the driver counter-steers the system's initial steering input or if Steering Pilot is switched off.
Anything else?
"The new E-Class is even more in tune with the wishes of customers in the business class segment," said Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the board of management of Daimler AG with responsibility for group research and Mercedes-Benz cars development. "With the help of numerous innovations, there is no loss of driving pleasure, even on monotonous and overfilled stretches of road. Drive Pilot and Active Lane Change Assist optionally support the motorist with driving tasks that are often not pleasurable."