China Bans Deceptive Autonomous Driving Claims

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Final Up to date on: 18th April 2025, 12:15 pm

Final fall, Ford CEO Jim Farley revealed that he had been driving a Xiaomi SU7 sedan for the previous 6 months. He informed the press he didn’t want to give it up as a result of the automobile was so a lot better than something Ford or every other firm promoting automobiles within the US is manufacturing. One of many options of the SU7 is its superior autonomous driving expertise.

On March 29, 2025, three girls using in a Xiaomi SU7 working in semi-autonomous mode had been killed when the automobile slammed right into a concrete construction at a street development website and burst into flames. In keeping with a number of Chinese language information reviews, the ladies had been unable to exit the car because it burned. In keeping with Car News ChinaXiaomi mentioned in a press release after the accident that the automobile was touring at 116 km/h (72 mph) and utilizing the corporate’s NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) clever driving help system when it approached a development zone. The lane was closed with limitations, diverting site visitors to the alternative lane. The system detected the impediment, issued an alert, and commenced decelerating. The driving force then took guide management, continued braking and steering, however finally collided with a concrete barrier publish at an estimated 97 km/h (60 mph).

China Bans Autonomous Driving Claims

In contrast to the US authorities, which has finished just about nothing to manage so-called autonomous driving programs, the Chinese language authorities has reacted swiftly within the aftermath of the Xiaomi crash. Citing a number of Chinese language information sources, Electrive reviews that China will now ban automobile producers from utilizing the phrases “intelligent driving” and “autonomous driving” when promoting driver help features. As well as, they may not be allowed to conduct public beta assessments, and any over-the-air updates can solely be transmitted after validation has been accomplished.

These tips on car promoting had been introduced by the Ministry of Trade and Info Expertise on Wednesday at a gathering with virtually 60 representatives of automobile producers. The company reportedly held a closed door assembly with 20 firms this week at which it introduced the stricter guidelines for the introduction and advertising of driver help software program. Such programs have gotten a significant advertising level within the extremely aggressive Chinese language automobile market. Particularly, Huawei, Xpeng, Li Auto, and Nio, are continually releasing new features. In February, BYD announced that its help system, known as God’s Eye, can be built-in into even its least costly automobiles in future.

In keeping with business consultants, the federal government is worried that customers aren’t sufficiently conscious of the boundaries of such programs and that the businesses’ advertising may mislead customers. MIIT needs to tighten the rules for good automobiles in a number of areas. For instance, the apply of beta take a look at applications for pioneer customers, an method pioneered by the smartphone enterprise that has turn out to be widespread within the auto business as properly, will not be permitted. Sooner or later, public assessments should undergo the official approval channels, which implies the businesses will probably be obligated to hold out enough testing of their very own and acquire pre-authorization from the authorities earlier than introducing their programs. As well as, “the limits of system functions and safety measures must be clarified.”

Reality In Advertising and marketing

China additionally needs to strictly regulate advertising terminology. Automobile producers will probably be required to keep away from utilizing phrases comparable to self driving, automated driving, autonomous driving, clever driving, or superior clever driving of their advertising materials. As a substitute, they have to use the exact time period “assisted driving by level…” and state the extent of autonomous driving stage from 1 to five being promised.

MIIT is working to make sure that automakers cut back the variety of software program updates and solely cross these on to autos after enough checks have been carried out. As well as, autos that require software program updates through emergency OTAs are to be handled as remembers or manufacturing stops in China sooner or later, based on the minutes of the closed door assembly which have been printed.

As well as, MIIT needs to place an finish to car features that work with out the motive force’s supervision, comparable to parking in a carpark and calling a automobile by urgent a button or distant management. Going ahead, driver monitoring programs will not be capable to be deactivated and should instantly acknowledge when drivers take their fingers off the steering wheel. Eradicating each fingers from the steering wheel will now activate the car’s brakes and hazard warning lights.

The preliminary response from Chinese language vehicle associations welcomed the MIIT initiative. Fu Bingfeng, Deputy Secretary Basic of the China Affiliation of Car Producers (CAAM), commented that the “popularization of driver assistance technologies must go hand in hand with the advancement of user awareness.”

Zhang Jinhua, President of the China Society of Automotive Engineers, additionally commented that the present maturity of driver help expertise has deviated from the dynamics of selling. “The blurring of boundaries in marketing and the distortion of user perception have become a growing problem, with some drivers confusing driver assistance with autonomous driving.” Street accidents brought on by drivers who misuse driver help features have occurred repeatedly and have triggered nice concern in society, he mentioned

Timing is Essential

Car News China and different information organizations see the announcement of the stricter rules as a sign of “the government’s determination to regulate this sector more stringently.” The timing, shortly earlier than the beginning of the Shanghai Auto Present, is probably going important. Sometimes at that present, autonomous driving features are closely promoted. China has additionally simply launched stricter security requirements for batteries which are because of take impact in 2026. In keeping with business observers, the brand new insurance policies may speed up the tempo of consolidation within the Chinese language auto business.

Not one of the information reviews from China this week point out what impact the brand new rules can have on Tesla. At first look, they would appear to ban using each “Autopilot” and “Full Self Driving” by the corporate in its promoting or promotional materials. Definitely the motion by MIIT has put the kibosh on the concept of “hands free driving,” at the least for programs which are at Stage 2 or Stage 3 on the autonomous driving scale.

If this had been to occur within the US, Elon Musk can be strutting about together with his 6-foot chainsaw and screaming about “government overreach” and a “woke mind virus.” The avowed “free speech absolutist” has nothing to say, nevertheless, when it’s the Chinese language authorities doing the speaking. Nothing says “hypocrite” fairly like somebody who adjusts his message to the circumstances as an alternative of being steadfast in his beliefs.

Beta testing on public roads has all the time been fraught with hazard, since different drivers aren’t conscious they’re collaborating within the take a look at and so can not choose out. The query now’s whether or not different international locations will comply with China’s lead with regard to regulating autonomous driving expertise.