German car brand Mercedes has announced it will launch SAE Level 2 driver assist in its home country. The package, named MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO, will roll out in Stuttgart and Munich before the end of 2026.
Mercedes states existing vehicles with capable hardware will receive MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO as an over-the-air update. The upgrade will roll out across the whole product line-up, including passenger cars and vans. A month’s free trial will let customers get a feel for it before committing.
Customers can expect Mercedes’ package to help with navigating city traffic, changing or merging lanes, turning at intersections, and braking and accelerating at traffic lights. However, terms and conditions apply for the first set of users, whom Mercedes will contact. The company will incorporate feedback to improve the user experience before wider availability in 2027.
Mercedes says it developed the advanced assistance in accordance with UNECE UN R171 regulations. The regulatory framework means Mercedes can offer MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO in other European markets “as is.”
According to Mercedes’ official release, the driver assist relies on 27 sensors, including 10 cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors, unlike Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD), which uses only cameras. Mercedes also borrows NVIDIA’s Hyperion architecture and Alpamayo Stack software.
Mercedes reminds customers that, as an SAE Level 2 system, its driver assist requires the driver to stay attentive and be ready to take over at any time.
In addition, while Mercedes may officially launch its driver assistance in Germany before Tesla, the latter remains miles ahead in terms of real-world deployment and accumulated driving data. FSD has been approved in eight European markets. More interestingly, Germany has thrown its weight behind FSD (now known as Tesla Assisted Driving in Europe) as Tesla campaigns for EU-wide approval.
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