Daimler reveals Mercedes S-Class robotaxi

Daimler has revealed its latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class-based robotaxi that will soon offer self-driving rides in California as part of a 30-car trial over several months.

Unveiled as part of a new trial that will gather feedback from those using the taxi service, the large S-Class limos come equipped with a huge array of on-board sensors including laser scanning LIDARs.

Claimed to be fully capable of operating without anyone on board and in charge, Daimler says a safety driver will be behind the wheel at all times.

Said to benefit from extensive testing on public roads in both Daimler's Stuttgart home and in California where the trial will take place, the latest S-Class is said to reap the rewards of the car-maker's technical partnership with Bosch and pack its latest next-gen tech.

Despite already claiming to have successfully achieved "mind off" Level 4 autonomous driving (in geofenced areas) without any need for driver input Daimler's new CEO, Ola Kallenius, has reportedly told journalists that he might push Benz's driverless program in a new direction.

Instead of focusing on robotaxis or private cars, Daimler's boss thinks there's a greater chance of recouping the billions already invested by applying autonomous tech on heavy trucks hauling freight and goods.

This, in part, is because big-rigs mostly operate on less complex highways rather than in chaotic environments where even the most sophisticated cameras, lasers and software struggle to spot potential dangers.

Kallenius also expressed his doubts over the potential returns from full-scale deployment of robotaxis.

"At this juncture to be the first one out to do something like that at this scale does not make sense," he said.

"We are not stopping developing the robotaxis. We will go into the market when it's right, and we do not think that is in the short to midterm," Kallenius said in interviews.