Level 4 refers to a self-driving system capable of operating without any human input or supervision under certain conditions, such as in cities and on highways.
Dubbed Drive Pilot, Mercedes's Level 3 system on the S-Class and EQS has already been approved for use in Nevada, and states like California are expected to follow suit soon.
Using LiDAR, radar, and sensors, Drive Pilot can travel at up to 40 mph on the highway without input, however, the driver still needs to pay attention for unexpected obstacles.
Mercedes isn't racing toward this goal for bragging rights. Luxury automakers will be able to make big bucks from owners willing to pay for this unparalleled convenience.
While Level 5 is still quite some ways away, Mercedes's successful implementation of Level 3 puts it in a prime position to pursue Level 4 and beyond with confidence.