Mercedes-Benz and Bosch have started a joint pilot project for an app-based automated ride-hailing service in the US city of San Jose, California, the German companies jointly announced on Monday in Stuttgart.

The automated Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles would drive along the main traffic routes in San Jose and would be monitored by a safety driver, according to automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz and Bosch, Germany's largest automotive supplier.

Initially, the automated shuttle service would only be available to a selected group of users who could book the vehicles via the app and then board at defined pickup locations to be driven to their destination.