Mercedes-Benz and Luminar aim to push automated driving

Daimler Mercedes-Benz and Luminar Technologies, Inc., a global leader in automotive technology, have announced a partnership to develop future technologies for highly automated driving. The new partnership aligns with the strategy of the Swabians to continuously expand their network of top-tier technology partners and suppliers. The aim of this collaboration with Luminar is to further develop the current lidar technology of the US company with the intention of integrating it into series production vehicles of Mercedes-Benz. By shortening development cycles and strengthening technology partnerships, Mercedes-Benz ensures that the brand's vehicles are equipped with the latest technologies.

"Luminar fits perfectly into our existing collaborations with leading and innovative technology companies. By achieving the SAE Level 3 standard in automated driving, Mercedes-Benz has already reached an important milestone," said Markus Schäfer, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, Chief Technology Officer responsible for Development and Procurement.

Austin Russell described the collaboration as groundbreaking for the industry. He believes it provides a glimpse into how advanced safety systems and autonomous driving in passenger cars will become standardized, said the founder and CEO of Luminar. As part of this partnership, the Stuttgart-based company wants to enable Luminar to achieve continuous product improvements and updates with a "data-driven" development approach. In December 2021, Mercedes-Benz was the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to receive an internationally valid system approval for highly automated driving (SAE Level 3). The so-called Drive Pilot is set to be offered as an option in the S-Class and EQS this year.

In the past ten years, Luminar Technologies has developed a hardware and software platform and supplies it to more than 50 industry partners, including most global automotive manufacturers. The list ranges from Volvo Cars for private vehicles and Daimler Truck AG for commercial vehicles to technology partners like NVIDIA and Mobileye from Intel. The provider claims to be the first automotive technology company to enable the next generation of safety systems and autonomous driving for series vehicles.