Magazine for Mobility and Society

100 Things | #29

Sheep among the stars

Preproduction models, prototypes, new technologies and drive systems. The Mercedes-Benz Testing and Technology Centre in Immendingen is an important link in the company’s chain of development and testing facilities. And for fans of automobiles and technology, this town in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg is a real El Dorado. But nature lovers also find what they’re looking for here — although at first glance no one would expect this town to be home to more than one king of the elves, as well as a shepherd and his four-footed flock. Of course, the kings of the elves are actually camouflaged prototype vehicles (“Erlkönigen” in German), but the sheep and the shepherd are real enough.

Easy Tech: DRIVE PILOT

Ready for the next level

ABS, airbag, ESP®, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC — these are just a few of the technical innovations in which the S-Class set benchmarks in terms of driving safety and comfort. Now it’s ready for the next level: The DRIVE PILOT will enable the S-Class to take over certain driving tasks. This will make it the first series production vehicle from Mercedes-Benz to master conditionally automated driving at Level 3.