Daimler obtains road test license for highly automated driving research vehicles in Beijing

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Daimler has become the first international automaker to receive a road test license for “highly automated driving research vehicles (level 4)” in Beijing, China.

​With this road test license, Mercedes-Benz test vehicles will now undergo real road tests to “further perfect the technology” in Beijing, which Daimler describes as a “metropolis with unique and complex urban traffic situations.”

“Autonomous driving is a key pillar of our global C.A.S.E. strategy, and today’s announcement marks a major step forward for our innovation efforts here in China,” says Mr. Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China.

“We demonstrate our commitment to furthering the development of China’s automotive industry through continually expanding the scope of our local research and development. ‘Inspired by China, innovating for China’, we are dedicated to providing our customers here with technologies, products and services tailored to their needs.”

To qualify for the license, Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with additional technical applications from Baidu Apollo underwent thorough testing at the National Pilot Zone (Beijing and Hebei) for Intelligent Mobility. Additionally, test drivers received rigorous automated driving training.

Daimler, which already owns automated driving test licenses in Germany and the United States, has worked with its local partners in China to “adapt its technologies to China’s traffic environment for consistently improving the safety of all road users as its first concern.”

“Backed by strong local partners, our R&D in China results in concrete innovations that allow us to achieve sustainable development today and into the future,” comments Prof. Dr. Hans Georg Engel, Head of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development China.

“This expanded research into automated driving will provide a strong base for developing further automated driving technology that addresses the challenges posed by China’s unique traffic environment, in order to further ensure that our technology and products offer the safety and convenience our customers expect.”