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Physix Frontier · News Briefing Card (IT Home · Sep 22, 2026)

Mercedes, Wayve to Launch Self-Driving Model in Two Years

KEY FACTS

  • Mercedes-Benz has struck a partnership with British startup Wayve to jointly develop autonomous driving systems.
  • Wayve's CEO said at least one Mercedes model equipped with the autonomous driving system will launch within the next two years.
  • The vehicle will use Mercedes hardware, the MB.OS operating system, and map interfaces.
  • The two sides are conducting real-world road testing in Stuttgart, London, and San Francisco, covering urban, highway, and rural roads.
  • Mercedes invested in Wayve earlier this year, and the two companies have already collaborated on technology for several years.

PHYSIX OBSERVATION

Mercedes choosing Wayve instead of building a full in-house stack shows traditional automakers are shifting toward a "hardware plus external AI" division of labor in autonomous driving. Wayve's AV2.0 approach does not rely on high-definition maps; if it truly reaches production within two years, it is a clear negative for HD map suppliers, and it also means autonomous driving competition is shifting from stacking sensors to competing on algorithmic generalization.

Source: IT Home report