Mercedes-Benz has been granted permission to use Level 3 autonomous driving system in California.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles approved Mercedes-Benz's automated driving system on designated highways under certain conditions without the active control of a driver, according to Reuters. California is one of Tesla's largest markets, accounting for 16% of the carmaker's global deliveries last year. However, Mercedes-Benz surpassed Tesla to become the first automaker to receive authorization to sell or lease cars with an automated driving system to the public in California.
The approved system, known as Drive Pilot, operates at Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to briefly take their eyes off the road while the car handles the driving. However, the driver must be ready to take control when necessary.
This is a significant achievement for Mercedes-Benz as Tesla's Autopilot and General Motors' Super Cruise, both classified as Level 2 autonomy, require drivers to maintain constant attention.
The Drive Pilot system is limited to operating on highways during daylight hours at speeds not exceeding 40 miles per hour, as stated by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will offer the automated driving system as an option for its 2024 S-Class and EQS Sedan models in the U.S. market. The first deliveries of these respective models are expected later this year.
Tesla refers to its Level 2 driving assistant system as "Full Self-Driving" and emphasizes that the driver must constantly supervise the feature and intervene as needed to ensure safe operation.
The permit allows Mercedes-Benz to deploy the Drive Pilot system on California highways in the Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, as well as on the interstate highway connecting Southern California to Nevada.
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz also received approval to deploy advanced automated driving systems on Nevada's roads.
Mercedes-Benz is a German automotive brand and the name of a group of automakers either owned by or producing vehicles under the Daimler AG automotive conglomerate.