Stellantis says it was ready to let drivers take their hands off the wheel. Well, up to 37 mph, anyway. The technology was finished. But the launch never happened.

The automaker confirmed it has shelved its Level 3 driver assistance system, a feature meant to be part of its AutoDrive platform. Stellantis officials explained the technology works, but interest from drivers is too low to justify bringing it to market right now.

Level 3 systems are a step up from today’s lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control

They allow drivers to take their eyes off the road and let the car handle itself, but only in specific situations. Stellantis had designed its version for speeds up to 37 mph, ideal for stop-and-go traffic. Engineers were working to expand it to 59 mph, but there was no clear date for rollout.

The debut was expected in February 2025. Instead, it quietly disappeared. A spokesperson said the system is ready, but three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters it’s unlikely to launch at all.

Behind Stellantis’s decision were steep costs, engineering challenges, and a cautious customer base

Stellantis did not share how much it spent on the program, though insiders described it as a significant investment.

That makes the pause all the more striking because AutoDrive was once billed as a centerpiece of the company’s future. Former CEO Carlos Tavares highlighted it back in 2021 as one of three major tech platforms that would arrive by 2024, Repairer Driven News shared.

Now, Stellantis joins other automakers facing the same reality: building advanced driver assistance is only half the battle. Convincing drivers to trust it is the other half. For now, the cars might be ready. Apparently, though, the customers are not.