Mercedes-Benz inaugurates the most advanced automotive lighting test center in the industry

Mercedes-Benz takes another step in automotive innovation with the inauguration of the industry’s most advanced lighting test center, integrated into the Global Proving Ground in Immendingen, Germany.

Measuring 135 meters in length and eight meters in height, this facility authentically recreates a secondary road to test lighting systems under fully controlled conditions, independent of weather, time of day, or external factors. The surface was specially developed to simulate the wear of a real road, and up to five vehicles can be tested simultaneously, with scenarios including oncoming traffic and overtaking maneuvers.

The investment in this project amounted to €10.5 million, with construction spanning two years.

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More rigorous and sustainable testing

Innovation at Immendingen goes beyond lighting. The center includes a durability track where robots take the wheel, driving fully autonomously on rough terrain filled with potholes and cobblestones. This method ensures greater precision, reduces the physical strain on test drivers, and allows continuous testing 24 hours a day. Each kilometer driven on this track is equivalent to 150 kilometers on extremely degraded roads.

The use of a digital twin concept is another cornerstone of the center. The entire site has been scanned to the millimeter, enabling detailed simulations before any physical testing. This way, thousands of kilometers can be virtually completed, accelerating development, reducing costs, and lowering the environmental footprint.

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A unique testing ecosystem

The Immendingen complex covers an area of 520 hectares and includes more than 30 testing modules, spread across 86 kilometers of tracks replicating everything from complex urban roads to mountain passes, highways, and off-road trails. Up to 400 vehicles can be tested simultaneously.

Beyond cutting-edge technology, there is also space for nature. Sheep herds help keep the grounds clean, while llamas protect the animals from predators. The site also shelters various protected species, benefiting from conservation and reforestation measures.

With a total investment already exceeding €400 million since the groundbreaking ten years ago, the Immendingen center stands as a milestone for the future of mobility, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.