Mercedes has taken a further step towards autonomous driving by announcing that its 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will have the option of new feature called Active Lane Change Assist.

The new system will be part of a wider Driving Assistance Package, which the company says reduces pressure on the driver in lane-changing situations. This will work alongside Active Lane Keeping Assist and the Active Blind Spot Assist to help prevent accidents.

The Active Lane Change Assist steers the car into the next lane when the driver activates the indicator for more than two seconds. Sensors and cameras look for vehicles in the safety zone before making the manoeuvre. The system will only operate at speeds between 80 and 180 km/h (50-112 mph), and when the Steering Pilot is activated. The car will use a long-range radar and cameras to monitor the area in front, along with the multi-mode radar sensors that permanently check the sides and the rear area.

The German Federal Motor Vehicle and Transport Authority has already issued provisional approval for the Active Lane Change Assist and approval in other EU countries has been sought.