Mercedes Introduces Innovative Turquoise Blue Lights Indicating Self-Driving Mode

Mercedes-Benz has broken new ground by adding a unique colour to its car lights, making turquoise blue the official hue for indicating when a Mercedes vehicle is operating in self-driving mode. This development comes after gaining approval exclusively in California and Nevada, the only states where Mercedes’ “conditionally autonomous” Drive Pilot technology is legally permitted.

While conventional car lights typically feature white for headlights, red for brake lights, and amber for turn signals, Mercedes’ approval for turquoise blue lights serves to signify the activation of its Drive Pilot technology. This system allows drivers to engage in a hands-free and eyes-off-the-road experience, a distinctive feature not present in other driver assistance systems like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and General Motor’s Super Cruise.

Mercedes Drive Pilot is specifically designed for traffic jams on selected major highways, where vehicles are travelling at speeds less than 40 miles per hour. In these conditions, drivers can take their feet off the pedals, release the steering wheel, and, notably, divert their attention from the road. While other systems require continuous driver attention, Mercedes’ Drive Pilot permits users to engage in activities such as browsing the Internet or playing games on the car’s centre screen, all while ensuring the driver remains alert through built-in sensors.

The turquoise blue colour was chosen for its distinctiveness and eye-catching nature. It minimizes the risk of confusion with other light colours on passenger cars and remains clearly distinguishable from the darker blue lights used by emergency vehicles. The Society of Automotive Engineers recommends this specific shade to signify autonomous vehicle operation, and Mercedes is the first automaker to secure approval for its application.

Mercedes emphasizes that the turquoise lights are crucial to alert passing drivers and law enforcement that the vehicle is under fully automated control. This visual cue ensures that observers do not misinterpret a driver looking away from the road as negligence.

The Mercedes Drive Pilot system is slated to debut on Mercedes S-class and EQS models in California and Nevada from early 2024. However, the technology’s functionality will be limited to highways within these two states, reflecting the current legal landscape for autonomous driving capabilities.