Mercedes-Benz and the British AI firm Wayve signed a production agreement on September 22, 2026. The deal focuses on integrating Wayve's AI Driver software into future Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This system is designed to provide point-to-point driving assistance on both city streets and highways, functioning without the need for high-definition maps.
The collaboration follows a multi-year technical partnership and a Mercedes-Benz investment in Wayve's Series D funding round earlier this year. Wayve also maintains separate agreements with Nissan and Stellantis to integrate its software into their production platforms. Nissan plans to introduce Wayve-powered ProPILOT technology to the market starting in 2027.
The AI Driver system operates as an end-to-end solution that processes surroundings in real time, allowing for adaptation to new environments without geofencing. Mercedes-Benz has not yet disclosed specific vehicle models, target markets, launch dates, or the formal automation level for this feature. The driver remains responsible for the vehicle at all times.
This initiative represents one of three parallel software tracks at Mercedes-Benz, alongside traditional ADAS and the Level 3 Drive Pilot system. While the company has a history of driver assistance, including the 1990s Distronic cruise control and the 2023 launch of Drive Pilot in the US, the Wayve-powered technology is categorized as driver assistance rather than full self-driving.
