As a reminder, Level 2 autonomous driving tech covers the advanced driving assistance systems you’ll see in cars today, including adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and autonomous braking. It requires drivers always to have their hands on the steering wheel. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology, which was recently updated, is still on SAE Level 2.
The Apple car was previously touted to have Level 5 capabilities that allow self-driving in all conditions and wouldn’t require a steering wheel and pedals, but it’s worth noting that even Level 4 is still yet to be realized by any who promised it.
Other automakers, such as Mercedes-Benz with its EQS, have already been testing Level 3 autonomous driving tech in the US. The automaker also has Level 4 tech called Park Pilot, although that’s limited to airport parking in Germany. That’s still not fully autonomous self-driving, though. Fellow smartphone maker and tech giant China’s Xiaomi also beat Apple to the introduction of a production EV with its sedan called SU7, also with Level 4 tech.