China is considering implementing safety regulations for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as more domestic automakers introduce such features to appeal to consumers in the highly competitive auto market.
A notice published Wednesday on Chinaâs national standards database showed that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has proposed formulating national safety requirements for driving assistance systems. The proposal is open for input until July 4.
Dongfeng Motor and tech firm Huawei are among the parties involved in drafting the proposed standards, according to the notice.
The move follows a surge in automakers promoting ADAS capabilities as selling points, amid a prolonged price war in the worldâs largest car market. Companies have been racing to roll out models with increasingly sophisticated driving features.
In April, regulators sought to rein in marketing claims by banning the use of terms such as âsmart drivingâ and âautonomous drivingâ in advertising, amid concerns over consumer misunderstanding of the technologyâs limitations.
The regulatory push was further intensified by a fatal crash involving Xiaomiâs SU7 sedan in March. Preliminary reports indicated the vehicle was traveling at 97 kph (60 mph) when it hit a roadside pole and caught fire, moments after the driver disengaged the ADAS system and took manual control.
Xiaomiâs founder said the company is fully cooperating with police investigations.
Source: Reuters