This past Wednesday, just in time for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), now taking place in Las Vegas, Mercedes-Benz announced that it has been awarded a testing license for autonomous driving of the new E-Class in Nevada. Currently, three standard-production E-Class vehicles have been approved for testing of self-driving technology.

"The fact that Mercedes-Benz is the world's first vehicle manufacturer to be awarded such a license shows that we are a step ahead when it comes to autonomous driving," said Prof. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG. "The new E-Class is therefore another big step to the fully automated vehicle."

Previously, for autonomous driving functions to be tested, vehicles needed to be elaborately equipped with certain hardware and software. Since the new E-Class is already equipped with extensive intelligent technology, only small tweaks to the software were required.

"Nevada is proud to serve as the location where Daimler, an international automotive leader, can explore and test the possibilities of its cutting-edge autonomous vehicle," said Governor Brian Sandoval. "By collaborating with revolutionary, sustainable and creative endeavors Nevada is working to be at the forefront of emerging innovative technologies."

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