Daimler begins pilot testing of self-driving Mercedes S-class taxis in U.S.

FRANKFURT — Daimler is testing autonomous taxis within the U.S. regardless of new CEO Ola Kallenius saying that the automaker will “rightsize” its spending degree on self-driving applied sciences.
Daimler’s autonomous-driving know-how will extra doubtless be apply to industrial automobiles for freight corporations on lengthy haul routes than taxis, Kallenius told journalists on the firm’s investor day in London final month.
The corporate has began self-driving taxi checks in California to collect person suggestions, folks acquainted with the matter instructed Automotive Information Europe.
“We’ve got not put the mission on ice. We’re taking a look at the place we will enhance effectivity and achieve synergies so we do not unnecessarily duplicate or triplicate our improvement work,” stated one of many folks. “This pilot program is about capturing the person expertise.”
The fleet contains about 30 automobiles, primarily Mercedes-Benz S-class sedans outfitted with sensor arrays together with long-distance, laser-scanning lidar, the particular person stated, saying the…