By ATN Editorial Team
Summary: Mercedes-Benz has announced that MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO, its system for advanced urban partially automated driving (SAE Level 2) developed in partnership with NVIDIA, will be available to order in Germany from the first half of 2027, with early access for selected customers in Stuttgart and Munich from the end of 2026 via an over-the-air update. Mercedes-Benz says this will make it the first car manufacturer to offer such a system in Germany, in addition to China and the U.S.
Key engineering takeaway: MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO uses 27 sensors (ten cameras, five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors) that supply raw data to a high-performance computer capable of processing up to 254 TOPS (trillion operations per second). It combines the MB.OS operating system with NVIDIA Hyperion in-vehicle compute and sensor architecture, the Halos full-stack safety system and Alpamayo Stack software, and uses a hands-on cooperative steering concept in which the driver can provide steering input at any time.
Why it matters: MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO extends assistance beyond the motorway across the entire navigation route, including lane changes, merging, turning at junctions, and braking and moving off at traffic lights in dense urban traffic. Mercedes-Benz developed it in line with UN R171, the UN regulation for Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS), and says this harmonised framework could allow the function to be introduced in all EU markets in future without further regulatory approval. The driver must remain continuously attentive and responsible for the vehicle at all times.
- MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO available to order in Germany from the first half of 2027
- Function accessible through a special early access programme for use in Stuttgart and Munich from the end of 2026
- The system combines Mercedes-Benz’s MB.OS with NVIDIA AI and computing technologies to support advanced driving assistance.
- Developed in line with the latest UN-regulations (DCAS) and their stringent safety requirements
- Regulatory basis enables potential introduction in further markets
- Free one-month trial planned after the market launch
MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO, the Mercedes‑Benz system for advanced urban partially automated driving (SAE Level 2) developed in partnership with NVIDIA, is set to be available to order from the first half of 2027. The system supports drivers from start to destination, making daily driving easier and more comfortable, including in complex urban traffic. Existing customers with eligible vehicles will be able to conveniently install the function with an over-the-air update, bringing the new driving experience directly to their car. This will make Mercedes‑Benz the first car manufacturer to offer such a system in Germany, in addition to China and the U.S. Availability will depend on the model and will be rolled out across the Mercedes‑Benz passenger car and van portfolio. Further details regarding models and pricing will be announced ahead of the respective market launches. A complimentary one-month trial is also planned via the Mercedes‑Benz Store, giving customers the opportunity to experience the function first-hand, provided their Mercedes has the necessary equipment.
“MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO gives our customers a new level of safety, intelligence and confidence behind the wheel. Its launch in Germany underscores our determination to play a leading role in automated and assisted driving.”
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG
“Safe autonomous driving demands intelligence to navigate complex city streets and a world in constant motion. Mercedes‑Benz has shaped the automobile for generations, and together we’re helping shape its future. We’re combining Mercedes‑Benz’s engineering excellence and commitment to safety with NVIDIA Hyperion to bring the next generation of intelligent driving to more people.”
Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA
MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO Point-To-Point Driving And Early Access
With this new point-to-point driving experience, Mercedes‑Benz supports the driver from start to destination, making everyday journeys more comfortable and less demanding. On motorways, established assistance systems already enable relaxed driving. MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO now extends this support across the entire navigation route, for instance by assisting when leaving the motorway and navigating even dense urban traffic. Activation is very easy with the touch of a button on the steering wheel during active navigation. Changing lanes, merging into the correct lane, turning at junctions, and braking and moving off at traffic lights all become much easier.
From the end of 2026, selected customers in Stuttgart and Munich will be among the first to experience the system. Provided their Mercedes is equipped with the necessary hardware, they will be contacted individually and receive early access via a convenient Over-the-Air (OTA) update. This gives eligible customers the opportunity to experience the new technology at an early stage, while their real-world experience can contribute to its continuous improvement.
UN R171 DCAS Regulation, Sensors And Compute
A UNECE working group on automated/autonomous and connected vehicles previously approved the new UN R171 regulation setting out provisions for the approval of vehicles equipped with Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) and prescribing stringent safety requirements. Mercedes‑Benz welcomes this high standard, as the harmonized regulatory framework provides a strong foundation for the safe introduction of advanced driver assistance functions. It also opens up the potential to make these technologies available to customers in further markets. On this basis, the function could also be introduced in all EU-markets in future without further regulatory approval.
The system uses 27 sensors, including ten cameras, five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors. They supply raw data to a high-performance computer capable of processing up to 254 TOPS. MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO combines Mercedes‑Benz’s MB.OS operating system with NVIDIA Hyperion in-vehicle compute and sensor architecture, Halos full-stack safety system and Alpamayo Stack software to support advanced driving assistance. The hands-on cooperative steering concept combines advanced assistance with the reassurance that the driver can provide steering input at any time, creating a safe and intuitive experience from start to destination. As an SAE-Level 2 system, MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO requires the driver to remain continuously attentive, with the driver staying in control and responsible for the vehicle at all times.
MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO: Frequently Asked Questions
What is MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO?
MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO is the Mercedes-Benz system for advanced urban partially automated driving (SAE Level 2), developed in partnership with NVIDIA. It supports the driver from start to destination along the active navigation route, including leaving the motorway and driving in dense urban traffic, and assists with lane changes, merging into the correct lane, turning at junctions, and braking and moving off at traffic lights. It is activated with a button on the steering wheel during active navigation.
What is UN R171 (DCAS)?
UN R171 is a UN regulation, approved by a UNECE working group on automated/autonomous and connected vehicles, that sets out provisions for the approval of vehicles equipped with Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) and prescribes safety requirements for them. In general terms, a DCAS is a driver assistance system that supports the driver with steering, braking and acceleration while the driver remains in control of and responsible for the driving task. Mercedes-Benz says the harmonised framework could allow MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO to be introduced in all EU markets in future without further regulatory approval.
What sensors and compute does MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO use?
The system uses 27 sensors: ten cameras, five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors. They supply raw data to a high-performance computer capable of processing up to 254 TOPS. TOPS (trillion operations per second) is a measure of how many operations an AI processor can perform each second, and is commonly quoted to compare the AI compute of driver assistance computers. The software combines MB.OS with NVIDIA Hyperion in-vehicle compute and sensor architecture, the Halos full-stack safety system and Alpamayo Stack software.
When will MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO be available in Germany?
Selected customers in Stuttgart and Munich whose vehicles have the necessary hardware will receive early access via an over-the-air update from the end of 2026. The system will be available to order in Germany from the first half of 2027, with availability depending on the model and a roll-out across the Mercedes-Benz passenger car and van portfolio. A free one-month trial via the Mercedes-Benz Store is planned after market launch.
What does SAE Level 2 mean for the driver?
SAE Level 2 (partial driving automation) describes systems that can control steering and speed together while the driver supervises continuously and remains responsible for driving. For MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO, Mercedes-Benz says the driver must remain continuously attentive and stays in control of and responsible for the vehicle at all times, and its hands-on cooperative steering concept lets the driver provide steering input at any time.
Further Reading
- What Is Level 2++ ADAS? An Engineer’s Guide To L2 vs L3
- Wayve AI Driver Heads To Production In Mercedes-Benz Vehicles
- NVIDIA Launches Alpamayo 2 Super Reasoning Model For Robotaxis
- Changan SDA Pilot Driver Assistance Launches In Three Tiers
For more ADAS news, click here.
