Mercedes-Benz wins California’s first self-driving car license ahead of Tesla
According to Reuters, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on Thursday issued Mercedes-Benz California’s first self-driving vehicle deployment permit, approving Mercedes-Benz’s driver assistance system “Drive Pilot” can be used without driver intervention on designated highways.
The DMV granted the license to Mercedes-Benz’s Level 3 “Drive Pilot” system, which allows drivers to legally take their eyes off the wheel but must be able to step in when needed, the report said.
The DMV said in a statement that the “Drive Pilot” system can only operate on the highway during the day at a speed of no more than 40 miles per hour.
According to reports, the self-driving vehicle deployment permit issued by the DMV allows Mercedes-Benz to operate on highways in the California Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego, as well as interstate highways connecting Southern California and Nevada.
Tesla offers its “Drive Pilot” system, while Tesla’s L2 driver assistance system “Autopilot” is still waiting for DMV approval.
Global Sprout saw on the official website of Mercedes-Benz that the current Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan and EQS electric vehicles can be equipped with the “Drive Pilot” driving assistance system, and the optional price is US$5,000
