Stellantis NV says it has developed an in-house automated driving system that aims to help make commuting in dense urban areas easier, with drivers able to take their hands off the wheel and eyes off the road.

The maker of Jeep and Ram vehicles said in a Thursday announcement that the new STLA AutoDrive 1.0 technology can handle stop-and-go commuting at lower speeds of up to 37 mph — taking over speed, steering and braking.

It said future updates to the platform, which is considered Level 3 automation, could unlock speeds up to 59 mph, as well as off-road automation for certain models.

You won't find the technology in Stellantis vehicles yet, however, and a decision on launch timing hasn't been made. While the platform is ready to go, the market for Level 3 autonomous driving remains "very limited," Dan Reid, a Stellantis spokesperson, said in an email.

More advanced vehicles now typically offer up to Level 2 automation, which can include adaptive cruise control, lane-centering and self-parking. The highest level of automation, according to SAE International, is Level 5, which is where a car can drive itself in all kinds of conditions.

"Once the market opens up and becomes more receptive, we will move forward with introducing this advanced technology," Reid said. The locations where Stellantis will push to introduce AutoDrive first haven't been revealed, but Reid said regions with "dense urban environments" would be prioritized to support daily commuters.

Stellantis said in a statement that the technology will allow the driver to take their eyes off the wheel and conduct activities including catching up on emails, reading a book or watching a movie. It can be activated with a physical button, and uses a series of sensors that can clean themselves during inclement weather.

At higher speeds, the automaker said AutoDrive can shift into adaptive cruise control, including modes that require hands to rest on the steering wheel or an in-between option that allows the hands to come off the wheel but require eyes to remain on the road.

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