2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Takes A Step Towards Autonomous Driving

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class comes closer to autonomous driving with a new feature, called the Active Lane Change Assist.

This a sub-function of DRIVE PILOT and a component of the Driving Assistance Package, which reduces pressure on the driver in lane-changing situations and, with the Active Lane Keeping Assist and the Active Blind Spot Assist, helps prevent accidents.

The Active Lane Change Assist steers the new E-Class into the adjacent lane when the driver activates the turn indicator for more than two seconds, if sensors do not detect any vehicles in the relevant safety zone. It is also inconsequential whether the vehicle wants to return to the right-hand lane or steer to the left for overtaking.

It works at speeds between 80 and 180 km/h (50-112 mph), when the Steering Pilot is activated, and uses a long-range radar and the stereo camera to monitor the area in front, along with the multi-mode radar sensors that permanently check the sides and the rear area. If the Steering Pilot is switched off, the driver countersteers or the sensors detect an obstacle or no longer "see" lane markings, the active lane change is aborted.

In Germany, the Federal Motor Vehicle and Transport Authority has issued provisional approval for the Active Lane Change Assist and the approval procedure has been started in the rest of the European Union.

The next-gen Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be officially presented to the public at the 2016 Detroit Motor Show in January, and it will be available in its local market next spring.