Google isn't the only one with a self driving car. A Mercedes-Benz S-500 has recently completed its first successful autonomous drive.
It covered 100km from Mannheim to Pforzheim in Germany under real traffic conditions, including traffic lights, roundabouts, pedestrians, cyclists and trams.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the car is not meant to completely replace a human operator. The company writes:
While self driving cars will be a reality of future mobility, it is first and foremost the next logical step on the way to accident free driving; LEAVING THE DECISION TO THE DRIVER WHETHER OR NOT the car to take over when needed or wanted. The S-500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE stands in a successful tradition at Mercedes-Benz introducing groundbreaking technologies.
Are we ready for autonomous driving soon? More to come from other automakers, we're sure.