Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Mercedes-Benz and Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta jointly announced on September 25 that they will soon release a new driver-assistance system built on Momenta's Flywheel Big Model.
The technology will make its debut in the China-made new all-electric CLA model, due to launch this autumn, and promises to deliver point-to-point assisted driving across highways, city streets, and parking environments. The system is expected to roll out to additional Mercedes-Benz models over time, strengthening the brand's push into advanced driver-assistance technologies in China.
Mercedes-Benz was the first global automaker to invest in Momenta back in 2017, laying the groundwork for years of strategic cooperation. Since then, joint engineering teams in China and Germany have worked closely to refine the new system, tailoring it to local road conditions while ensuring it meets the brand's global benchmarks for driving performance and safety. By integrating Momenta's end-to-end large model technology, the system is designed to deliver a driver-assistance experience that is not only aligned with Mercedes' standards but also deeply attuned to the realities of Chinese traffic.
Drummond Jacoy, senior executive vice-president at Mercedes-Benz China and Head of Mercedes-Benz China R&D and Procurement, said the company is committed to enhancing in-house development while partnering with China's leading tech firms. He noted that the new all-electric CLA embodies this approach by translating cutting-edge innovations into products tailored to Chinese drivers. Leveraging Momenta's expertise, Mercedes aims to introduce a new level of safety and intelligence to its driver-assistance features, beginning with the new CLA.
Momenta CEO Cao Xudong emphasized that the collaboration blends Mercedes-Benz's century-long engineering heritage with Momenta's AI expertise. He said the development of the new all-electric CLA's new system showcased Mercedes-Benz' rigorous standards and demand for precision and speed, reinforcing its role as a benchmark for luxury in the auto industry. Momenta's Flywheel Big Model, he added, will help deliver a safer, smarter, and more premium driving experience for Chinese customers.
Mercedes Benz stressed that the system co-developed with Momenta was trained entirely on local data, incorporating extensive driving behavior from experienced Chinese motorists to ensure relevance. Testing followed what the company described as "Mercedes Benz standards," combining large-scale real-world trials with advanced simulation. Hundreds of vehicles logged miles across congested urban routes, challenging road conditions, and unusual traffic scenarios nationwide. Meanwhile, continuous 24/7 simulations ran billions of virtual kilometers, exposing the system to edge cases such as heavy fog, downpours, and sudden hazards, all aimed at validating safety and reliability.
Momenta said its end-to-end solution is among the first of its kind to be deployed in mass production. In the new all-electric CLA, the system aims to match the efficiency of human driving while prioritizing safety, avoiding risky behaviors such as running yellow lights and instead proactively slowing at intersections or yielding to pedestrians. Engineers also fine-tuned coordination between the vehicle's powertrain, chassis, and driver-assistance software, creating what the companies describe as an industry-leading human–machine co-driving experience.
