Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more

    Talking Tech & Talking Cars: Driving the self-steering Benz

    A special joint podcast exploring the emerging world of self-driving vehicles

    Published: May 29, 2014 03:00 PM

    For a special joint episode of Talking Tech and Talking Cars, Consumer Reports' Electronics Editor Glenn Derene and Director of Auto Testing Jake Fisher took a spin in the Mercedes-Benz S550 with an optional Distronic Plus with Steer Assist technology package. The vehicle as outfitted costs $114,475, and is one of the first vehicles on the market to combine a variety of sensing and mechanical assist technologies to actively "watch" the road and automatically steer, brake, and accelerate for the driver.

    This car marks an interesting point in the evolution of automotive technology, a sort of halfway point between human control and autonomous vehicles. Derene and Fisher explore what it means, both technologically and socially, when a vehicle gives you permission to take your hands off the wheel.

    Want more talk? Check our past episodes of Talking Tech and Talking Cars.


    E-mail Newsletters

    FREE e-mail Newsletters! Choose from cars, safety, health, and more!
    Already signed-up?
    Manage your newsletters here too.

    Distracted Driving News

    Cars

    Cars Build & Buy Car Buying Service
    Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience.

    See your savings

    Mobile

    Mobile Get Ratings on the go and compare
    while you shop

    Learn more