Bosch showcases its Level 3 autonomous driving system at the Beijing Auto Show

The Beijing Auto Show has been the event chosen by Bosch Mobility to unveil its new Level 3 driver assistance system, which enables highly automated driving without the need to keep hands on the steering wheel or eyes on the road at all times. The German supplier is already testing this technology on public roads in the Chinese city of Wuxi.

This launch represents a major technological leap for Bosch. Until now, the company only offered advanced Level 2 driver assistance systems, in which the vehicle can brake, accelerate and keep the lane autonomously, but the driver must remain alert and ready to intervene at all times. With Level 3, responsibility shifts to the car in certain scenarios, allowing the driver to temporarily disconnect from the driving task and turn their attention to other activities, such as checking their mobile phone.

The system developed by Bosch is designed for motorways and urban expressways, where speeds of up to 120 km/h can be maintained, operating with reduced visibility of as little as 300 metres and with the ability to perform automatic lane changes.

“We use artificial intelligence in every software component and combine it with a redundant safety architecture. Our expertise spans all vehicle domains, which makes us the ideal partner for manufacturers looking to scale Level 3.”

Not only for China

In March 2026, the German company obtained a licence to test vehicles equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving systems under real-world conditions in the Chinese city of Wuxi. This advanced system is already implemented in the Chery Exeed model. It is worth noting, however, that although the development of these systems is currently focused on the Chinese market, Bosch does not limit its scope to that market, and company management maintains that this technology can be implemented with minor adaptation in other markets without difficulty. A Level 3 system that frees the driver for extended periods is genuinely appealing for Europe and the United States as well, they point out.

Bosch’s presentation comes shortly after two major German manufacturers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, decided to hit the brakes on developing Level 3 driver assistance systems. The main reason that led them to this decision is the high cost of hardware, especially LiDAR sensors and redundant architectures, which can add up to €10,000 to the final price of the vehicle. Both manufacturers are now betting on more versatile and affordable advanced Level 2 systems, with the advantage that they can also be used in town and on secondary roads, not just on motorways, although they require greater supervision from the driver.