The Light That Tells You a Car Is Driving Itself
As automated vehicles move closer to everyday reality, SAE J3134 establishes a clear visual language to signal when a car is driving itself. The blue-green ADS marker lamp, now the only global lighting standard for automated driving, is already being deployed by Mercedes-Benz on Level 3 vehicles. Backed by years of research, growing public support, and international collaboration, standardized ADS lighting is emerging as a critical link between autonomous technology, road-user awareness, and trust in the next era of mobility.
Transcript
00:00:00 The future of autonomous vehicles should include making sure everyone on the road is aware that a vehicle is self-driving. So much of how we move through the world depends on recognition either between the driver and the pedestrian or driver to driver. The SAE J3134 automated driving system marker lamp standard will inform others on the road of a vehicle's automated driving status via blue green
00:00:25 lamps. One automaker that's already working to bring the standard to its vehicles is MercedesBenz. We had an opportunity to chat with one of the automakers lighting experts about the standard and how it will be deployed on future vehicles. to talk a little bit more about uh J3134 in the real world and how this will will integrate with pass with pedestrians and
00:00:54 drivers and and and bicyclists etc. Uh for Mercedes-Benz we have Nicholas, senior engineering for integral safety regulatory affairs. Nicholas, thanks so much for for chatting with me today. But before we get into the the standard itself, let's talk a little bit about Mercedes-Benz and its level three system, uh, Drive Pilot.
>> Yep. So, Drive Pilot is our uh level
00:01:19 three conditionally automated driving system. Um, it's available in Nevada and California on the S-Class and EQS uh models. you know, on the those vehicles you have you on these these these sort of test vehicles you're you're working with, you have the the the lights, the blue the blue lights. So, what are some of the goals for MercedesBenz in reference to SAPEL J3134?
00:01:44 Right. So, our primary goal is integrate ads marks conform to J3134 on a production automated driving system equipped vehicles for consumer purchase. Um we also strongly advocate for international harmonization of the standard which would ensure consistent global deployment.
>> And so can you explain a little bit how the technology how you know explain the
00:02:06 technology used by Mercedes-Benz to achieve this?
>> Of course. So Mercedes-Benz uh we seamlessly integrated the ADS mark lamps into the headlights, side mirror indicators and also the rear tail lights of our EQS test fleet vehicles. Um, this design provided a 360°ree visual cue of the ads operating state. Also, by adhering to the SAPE recommended light
00:02:29 intensities, these lamps are clearly visible in traffic without being distracting towards other road users
>> and and as the autonomous driving technology is slowly becoming a reality. What are some of the challenges overall for Mercedes? Uh,
>> I think right now the greatest challenge is a lack of a unified federal uh regulatory framework for automated
00:02:47 driving systems. Currently, testing and deployment permits are managed by a patchwork of state level and even city level uh regulations which significantly limit the ability to achieve a nationwide deployment of ads equipped vehicles.
>> Yeah. Cuz it seems like you know if you if if one state has one rule and another state has another rule and another state
00:03:06 has another [laughter] state for for a manufacturer that's that's that's almost unsustainable especially when there's 50 different states in in the US. What do you think SAPE, Mercedes, and others complying with SAPE 3134 need to do to educate the public about these lights? Because the average person, they they don't know what we're talking about. They're not aware of what's coming. Um,
00:03:27 how how do you tell, you know, Joe public, Jane public, like these are coming. This is what they what they mean.
>> Great. And that's that's a first that's a great question. Um, well, we need first a multiaceted approach. So, first we also need to engage with law enforcement. We want to ensure that they understand what these lights mean and
00:03:46 then we can update our first responder interaction plans accordingly. Um we can also leverage recommendations from the American Association for Motor Vehicle Administrators to promote J3134 conformity. Additionally, public education can occur at the point of sale at the dealership. This could also be amplified through sales websites, social media, and other traditional news
00:04:08 outlets as well. And is there anything else about the standard and Mercedes work within the standard that you'd like to share?
>> Yeah. Um, in June of 2025, we submitted a comprehensive report to the California Highway Patrol on on-road interactions with ADS Mark vehicles in California. Uh, one of the key findings we found was that these lamps actually caused no
00:04:29 change in driving behavior of other road users. Um furthermore, we surveyed nearly 18 thou 1,800 US uh participants that showed over 70% of the participants supported ads markings. Um this data has been recognized and our study was also selected by Nitsa as a publication at the enhanced safety of vehicles international conference which is taking place in May of 2026. Um, also, um,
00:04:55 across the sea, Mercedes-Benz also received an exemption to validate Mark lamps in Germany, uh, which would be the first manufacturer to do so in Europe.
>> Well, thank you so much, Nicholas. I really appreciate you talking with me today.
>> Yeah, I appreciate the conversation. Thank you.
00:05:10
>> For more information regarding SAE's lighting systems group or to purchase J3134, please go to sapeel.org.