LOS ANGELES—Mercedes-Benz has never shied away from new technology. Historically, the carmaker has been an early adopter and developer of systems such as antilock brakes, stability control, airbags, and adaptive cruise control. With its EQ line of all-electric vehicles well underway, Mercedes-Benz is now making a push toward automated driving.

Offered on the electric EQS fastback and gas-powered S-Class sedan, Drive Pilot will initially launch in California and Nevada later this fall, the first two states that have appr

Drive Pilot is the first publicly-available system to achieve Level 3 on the 5-level “autonomous vehicle” scale, allowing drivers to completely disengage from driving

I drove the Mercedes-Benz EQS in Los Angeles (well, it drove me) courtesy of its Drive Pilot Level 3 automated drive system

Drive Pilot is the first proper SAE Level 3 autonomy system on the road, meaning when the car is driving itself you, the driver, aren't even liable for the car's behavior. That's an impressive feat, but it's one that comes with a lot of caveats.