Mercedes-Benz has received certification from California state authorities for its Drive Pilot system, making it the first automaker authorized to introduce an SAE Level 3 system in a standard-production vehicle for use on public freeways.

In doing so, it beat Tesla to the punch. California was Tesla's main stomping ground before moving to Texas, but its main engineering headquarters is still located on the West Coast.

The approval allows Mercedes-Benz to sell vehicles equipped with Drive Pilot in California. The system will be available as an option for the 2024 model year S-Class and the fully electric EQS Sedan, with deliveries scheduled to begin in late 2023.

Mercedes-Benz's Drive Pilot system enables conditionally automated driving. It allows drivers to engage in certain secondary activities while the system takes over driving on select freeway sections with high traffic density.

The system controls the vehicle's speed, distance, and lane guidance, all while also considering the route profile, events on the route, and traffic signs. It can also handle unexpected traffic situations through evasive or braking maneuvers within the lane. In case of system failures, redundant steering and braking actuators and an onboard electrical system are in place to maintain maneuverability.

Using a combination of LiDAR, radar, and various sensors, the system is claimed to allow safe driving at speeds of up to 40 mph. The automaker also partnered with leading tech companies like NVIDIA and Luminar to enhance the system's capabilities and meet the highest safety standards. The ultimate goal is to achieve SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving at speeds of up to 80 mph.

Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz also beat Tesla by getting permission for Level 3 self-driving tech in Nevada. The German marque hopes to expand the availability of this high-tech feature in other states. It also believes that SAE Level 4 self-driving will happen by 2030, allowing drivers to do something else most of the time.

"Just imagine you are in a big city, and you come from work, and you are sitting for two hours in traffic, and you press the button and go to sleep," Mercedes-Benz's Chief Technology Officer Markus Schafer said.

However, it should be noted that a survey released by AAA earlier this year showed that Americans are still afraid of self-driving cars, with nearly 70% expressing concern over the high-tech feature.