Riding Along with Mercedes and its in-city driver assistance system

Driving in San Francisco can be a challenge. When Mercedes driver Christoph von Hugo - who is on the Development Advanced Driver Assistance Systems team - turns on the company's new MB. Drive Assist Pro, I expect it to disengage within minutes. Instead, the 2027 electric CLA makes the same decisions most drivers would make. A pedestrian looks like they are about to walk into the street from the middle of the block. Immediately, the car reacts by moving over. It's subtle.

But don't call it autonomous driving. Mercedes says it's more of a co-driver.