China Tightens Safety Rules for Self-Driving Cars After Fatal Crash
Chinese regulators are finalizing new safety regulations for autonomous driving technology following a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 sedan in March that killed three occupants. The crash occurred seconds after the driver regained control from the assisted-driving system, prompting Beijing to balance innovation with safety concerns.
New Regulations Amid Rapid Development
The new rules come as Chinese automakers rapidly outpace foreign competitors in autonomous driving development. Companies like BYD have rolled out their “God’s Eye” driver assistance system for free across entire product lines, while traditional players like Tesla charge nearly $9,000 for similar features in China.
Contrasting Approaches: China vs. U.S.
China’s approach contrasts sharply with the U.S. market, where companies have expressed frustration over the lack of clear regulatory frameworks. Chinese officials are pressing for rapid deployment of Level 3 systems that allow drivers to take their eyes off the road in certain conditions, with hopes to approve the country’s first Level 3 vehicle by 2026.
Government Enlists Automaker and Tech Giant
The government has enlisted automaker Dongfeng and tech giant Huawei to help draft the new safety standards.
Source: Reuters