Following a tragic accident involving a Xiaomi electric vehicle that led to three fatalities, China is ramping up its scrutiny over autonomous driving technologies. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently gathered in Beijing with representatives from 60 companies, stressing the need to stick to existing rules while developing these advanced systems. They also cautioned against overstating what driver-assistance systems can do.
Phate Zhang, who founded the Shanghai-based EV data firm CnEVPost, pointed out that this regulatory meeting and the warnings issued are crucial steps toward more structured market regulation. He observed that the widespread testing of navigation-on-autopilot (NOA) systems on public roads is risky because many drivers aren’t well-versed in autonomous driving.
Before this unfortunate incident, the regulatory environment around NOA systems was somewhat relaxed, partly due to a misunderstanding about how mature the technology actually is, Zhang explained. During the conference, MIIT made it clear that car manufacturers and tech companies shouldn’t conduct large-scale testing of self-driving technologies without getting the green light from authorities. They also can’t roll out over-the-air software updates without official approval.
This move by MIIT underscores China’s proactive stance on ensuring public safety as autonomous driving technology evolves. It’s a reminder of the balance needed between innovation and safety.
