Mercedes-Benz has become the first automaker to sell vehicles with Level 3 autonomous driving technology to consumers in the United States. The EQS and S-Class sedans come with Drive Pilot, which doesn't require users to keep their eyes on the road, unlike Tesla's Full Self-Driving beta.

Mercedes vehicles with Level 3 Autopilot support went on sale in December, but they can only be sold in California and Nevada.

A Drive Pilot subscription costs $2,500 per year. Autopilot can only be activated in certain situations and regions. So, it works during the day in clear weather, in traffic jams, on certain highways in California and Nevada, and also when the car is traveling at a speed of less than 65 km/h. The function does not work on highways that have not been previously approved by Mercedes-Benz, or in construction zones.

While Autopilot is engaged, users can look away from the road and take their hands off the wheel, but they are not allowed to sleep or move into the passenger seat. The cars are equipped with a surveillance camera on the driver's display to ensure that the person behind the wheel is ready to respond to a request to take control. Activating Autopilot unlocks the center display so the driver can play games, watch videos or use other entertainment features.

Mercedes with autopilot received distinctive turquoise lighting on the rear-view mirrors, headlights and taillights. Inside, lights of the same color tell drivers that the system is activated.

Mercedes says it is working on cars with Level 4 autonomous driving, but they won't be available for purchase until 2030.

Meanwhile, Tesla has reduced the cost of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscription from $199 to $99 per month.

bbabo.Net