Mercedes-Benz has received permission from the German government to use turquoise in exterior car lighting to indicate automated driving. The company received such permission in several states in the US in late 2023, where it is already undergoing testing.
Germany has become the first European country to allow the use of a different color to indicate automated driving. The permit will be valid nationwide, but its duration is limited to July 2028.
"Germany once again underscores its pioneering role in the field of automated driving, having been first to permit conditionally automated driving (SAE-Level 3)," said a Mercedes press release.
Using turquoise for automated driving will primarily benefit other drivers. However, such lighting will help police and traffic authorities easily recognize the status of the system and "determine whether the driver is allowed to engage in other activities during conditionally automated driving."
The turquoise color will be used in the headlights and taillights, as well as in the side indicators on the exterior mirrors. Mercedes says the results of this test will help shape the legislative framework that will help ensure the mass production of cars with conditional automated driving in the future.
Turquoise was chosen for two key reasons: it is noticeably different from the colors already used in vehicles and traffic lights, and it provides high visibility, helping other drivers quickly recognize automated driving. Studies have also shown that this color performed better in physiological and psychological tests.
Mercedes will introduce a new version of DRIVE PILOT at the end of 2024. It allows for partially automated driving at speeds of up to 95 km/h on the right-hand lane of highways in Germany. It is the world's fastest SAE Level 3 system in production cars so far.