Mercedes Becomes First Automaker to Offer Level 3 Self-Driving in the US

Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker to offer Level 3 self-driving technology in the United States, a development announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year.

The Drive Pilot system, which received certification in Germany in 2022, has now been approved by the state of Nevada, with the official certificate of compliance expected to be issued within the next two weeks. The car manufacturer has also applied for certification in California, and is hopeful that approval will be granted in the near future.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) levels of driving automation, a Level 3-capable vehicle can take over certain driving tasks, but the driver must remain present and ready to intervene if necessary.

The Drive Pilot system, which is available on Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS sedans in Europe, allows for conditionally automated driving on suitable highway sections and in high-traffic areas. This feature enables drivers to engage in activities such as watching a movie or participating in a meeting while the car handles the driving.

In addition to this, Automatic Lane Change (ALC), which allows for automatic lane changes and overtaking of slower vehicles with the cruise control system, will be part of Mercedes' Level 2 partially automated driving suite available in the United States.

Source: Mercedes-Benz