Mercedes-Benz S-Class Level 4 Self-Driving Robotaxis Debut In Abu Dhabi

Mercedes-Benz is officially stepping into the robotaxi business with its flagship S-Class, partnering with Chinese software firm Momenta and local operator Lumo to launch a driverless shuttle service in Abu Dhabi. 

The S-Class robotaxis will operate with Level 4 autonomy, meaning the cars can handle all driving tasks from steering, braking, and accelerating within defined areas, without the need for a human driver. 

If the system encounters a situation it can’t handle, it will safely stop.

The vehicles are equipped with a multi-sensor setup, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, all managed by the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, the company’s in-house chip-to-cloud software platform. 

This system controls everything from automated driving to infotainment and charging, providing a seamless autonomous experience.

Mercedes has already received approval to test Level 4 systems in Beijing, China, and is exploring additional Level 4 projects worldwide, including commercial and customer-owned vehicles. 

Alongside the Abu Dhabi robotaxi project, the company is also developing a robotaxi ecosystem using Nvidia’s Drive AV platform, allowing the technology to expand to other markets efficiently.

“This robotaxi S-Class raises the bar for automated mobility and sets new standards for intelligent transportation,” said CTO Jörg Burzer, adding that Mercedes plans to expand the service to other cities globally after the initial testing phase in Abu Dhabi, 

In addition to the robotaxi initiative, Mercedes continues to offer Level 3 semi-autonomous driving in the S-Class and EQS, allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel on highways at up to 95 km/h, with plans to increase that to 130 km/h within five years.

The S-Class itself is also getting a facelift expected in January, with a refreshed exterior, a supersized grille, new headlights and taillights, and updated bumpers, Carscoops has reported.

The interior will see a complete overhaul, including a new dashboard with the MBUX Hyperscreen, updated steering wheel, and revised consoles.

Mercedes-Benz is positioning the S-Class robotaxi as a premium, worry-free way to travel, whether for private customers or as part of a public autonomous shuttle fleet.