BMW and Mercedes-Benz Begin Public Autonomous Vehicle Trials in Germany
BMW and Mercedes-Benz have both secured approval to run autonomous vehicle tests on German public roads, escalating competition between the two in self-driving technology.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz have each received approval to conduct autonomous vehicle tests on public roads in Germany, marking a new phase in the rivalry between the two brands as both accelerate development of self-driving systems.
BMW’s autonomous vehicle development is centred at its Unterschleissheim campus near Munich, where road-test vehicles are now active. The facility focuses on the full stack of autonomous driving technology, from sensors to software integration. Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, has reportedly secured permission for its latest autonomous prototypes to operate on public roads. These vehicles run Daimler’s new Autonomous Vehicle Operating System, which forms part of its CASE strategy (Connected, Autonomous, Shared & Service, Electric Drive).
German brands respond as global autonomous testing ramps up
The move to public road trials comes as US states such as Michigan allow fully driverless vehicle testing, even permitting cars without steering wheels or pedals and no human occupant. In Europe, the UK has also pushed for a lead in autonomous trials. German manufacturers are now stepping up their efforts to ensure they remain competitive in the global race for autonomous technology.
Technical, legal and social hurdles remain for autonomous vehicles in Europe, with questions around liability, data handling and public acceptance still unresolved. German carmakers are exploring solutions such as event data recorders, sometimes called “black boxes”, to address safety and regulatory concerns. For more on these challenges, see German Carmakers Consider Black Boxes for Autonomous Cars.
What the trials mean for German manufacturers
The approval for public road testing allows BMW and Mercedes-Benz to collect real-world data in their home market, which is crucial for refining autonomous systems before any wider rollout. Both companies are investing heavily in the technology, with BMW’s dedicated campus and Daimler’s CASE strategy indicating long-term commitment. The trials are expected to inform future regulatory frameworks and could influence how quickly fully autonomous vehicles reach production in Germany.
