Mercedes-Benz debuts turquoise exterior lights to indicate the car is self-driving

[Shawn Knight]

In brief: Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker in the US to receive permits allowing the use of turquoise-colored lights on the outside of vehicles to denote an autonomous driving system.

Most street legal vehicles utilize a combination of three colored lights: white for headlights and reverse lights, red for tail and brake lights, and orange for blinkers. Other colors, like dark blue, are reserved for police use. Now, Mercedes-Benz will be bringing turquoise to highways in California and Nevada.

In California, the permit will let Mercedes-Benz trial turquoise lights on test vehicles for two years. In Nevada, the automaker can start adding the feature to 2026 year production vehicles.

Also read: The State of Self-Driving Cars: Autonomous Advances

The turquoise lights will illuminate when Drive Pilot is engaged. Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot is a Level 3 advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) that can only be used in limited situations and in certain (geo-fenced) areas, like in heavy traffic on select highways at speeds of 40 MPH or less. Drive Pilot is also limited to daytime use and during clear weather, and cannot be used in construction zones. Furthermore, the driver is not allowed to fall asleep or leave the driver's seat.

As a Level 3 system, the driver is permitted to take their hands off the wheel, their feet off the pedals, and divert their attention away from the road. Most other driving systems require you to keep your hands on the wheel and pay attention. With Drive Pilot engaged, users are free to browse the Internet or watch videos on the vehicle's central display.

The turquoise markers will alert other drivers to the fact that your vehicle is driving itself, so hopefully they won't be alarmed if they see you doing other things while behind the wheel.

Mercedes-Benz said numerous studies have proven that turquoise is the optimal color for automated driving, as "both physiological and psychological factors attest to higher values in almost all areas with turquoise rather than with other colors." Turquoise also adheres to the SAE J3134 Recommended Practice guidelines.

Mercedes-Benz said Drive Pilot-equipped EQS Sedan and S-Class models will be available in early 2024 through participating dealers in California and Nevada.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/101268-mercedes-benz-adds-turquoise-exterior-lights-denote-autonomous.html

 

[toooooot]

Good idea bad color.
It should be something more distinctive.
For example, bright green. Or alternatively, it would be a moving light which would be easier to recognize (and stay away from this car).

 

[Lew Zealand]

Good idea bad color.
It should be something more distinctive.
For example, bright green. Or alternatively, it would be a moving light which would be easier to recognize (and stay away from this car).

There are rules about using a color too similar to existing traffic control so green is out. Turquoise isn't being used for anything I can think of so thats probably why it was chosen.

 

[nulll]

Love the concept and the further step on this is toward the inevitability of autonomous vehicles in general as ground rules are established. However, dear Daimlers ghost can we have a serious conversation about the unmitigated disaster that is the EQS! Please Merc just let that poor dysfunctional Frankenstein of a monster die and return to the shape and design of the W205/206 chassis C class in that form factor save for an a skate board design for the the battery pack. Just stop trying to make it look distinctively electric.

 

[toooooot]

There are rules about using a color too similar to existing traffic control so green is out. Turquoise isn't being used for anything I can think of so thats probably why it was chosen.

Then a small projector casting a sign of 10-15 inches on the windshield that says something like A.pilot or Self-Drive

 

[ddferrari]

Then a small projector casting a sign of 10-15 inches on the windshield that says something like A.pilot or Self-Drive

Impairing the driver's vision, and the fact that other drivers would likely not able to see the indicator from behind the vehicle? NAH

We get it- for some reason you have a beef with the color turquoise.

 

[3ogdy]

As LED taillights and headlights weren't annoying enough because of their excessive and unnecessary brightness, now here another set of bright lights with an even more annoying hue to make things even worse on the road.

Why would I want to know if a vehicle is self driving? Should I be more concerned about it and if so, why allow it on public roads?

 

[loki1944]

Followed by flashing ambulance lights

 

[loki1944]

Love the concept and the further step on this is toward the inevitability of autonomous vehicles in general as ground rules are established. However, dear Daimlers ghost can we have a serious conversation about the unmitigated disaster that is the EQS! Please Merc just let that poor dysfunctional Frankenstein of a monster die and return to the shape and design of the W205/206 chassis C class in that form factor save for an a skate board design for the the battery pack. Just stop trying to make it look distinctively electric.

"inevitability" is a pretty optimistic assessment

 

[Nobina]

How to spot a bad driver, basically.

 

[Uncle Al]

Great application, color is so-so, maybe having it a blinking light somewhat like safety flashers?

 

[Farkinell]

Half the cars in the US inexplicably don’t even have amber turn signals, so I can’t see this catching on.

 

[RaXelliX]

There are rules about using a color too similar to existing traffic control so green is out. Turquoise isn't being used for anything I can think of so thats probably why it was chosen.

How about purple or pink?

 

[Fastturtle]

Good idea bad color.
It should be something more distinctive.
For example, bright green. Or alternatively, it would be a moving light which would be easier to recognize (and stay away from this car).

It would make more sense to use the KITT Sensor Light - Left/Right Movement as it'll get a persons attention
The turqouise is too close to a blue, which in California strictly reserved for Police