Under the skin: autonomous cars still have a long way to go

Mercedes buyers in Europe can now order an automated overtaking feature on the new E-Class. Mercedes’ Automatic Lane Change (ALC) system is part of ‘Active Distance Assist Distronic with Active Steering Assist’. The car must be fitted with MBUX Navigation to use the feature and the road on which it’s performing the automatic lane change must have a speed limit. The driver doesn’t have to do anything else to initiate the manoeuvre, but their hands must remain on the wheel. Familiar examples are adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.