What Happened?
- A Xiaomi electric car crashed in April, killing 3 people. Reports suggest the car’s “driver assistance” tech was on at the time.
- This sparked a national safety review. China’s government ordered carmakers to rename their systems to avoid confusion.
Big Change: From “Self-Driving” to “Assisted Driving”
- Before: Terms like “Intelligent Driving” or “Autopilot” made drivers think cars could drive themselves.
- Now: Companies must use clearer terms like “Assisted Driving” to emphasize that humans must stay in control.
- Example: Xiaomi renamed its tech from “Intelligent Driving” to “Assisted Driving” on its website and ads.
Why Does This Matter?
- Safety first: Words like “self-driving” made people overtrust the tech. Think of it like a co-pilot, not a replacement driver.
- New rules: China’s government wants to close the gap between what people think the tech can do and what it actually does.
Industry-Wide Updates
- XPeng now calls its tech “AI-Assisted Driving” and offers safety training.
- Huawei changed “Smart Driving” to “Intelligent Driver Assistance.”
- All companies must use simpler, less flashy terms to describe their tech.
Expert Take
Wu Shuocheng, a car industry analyst, explains:
- “Overhyped names like ‘fully autonomous’ are dangerous. Clear labels help people understand the tech’s limits.”
- “This balances innovation with safety. Better marketing = safer roads.”
Key Takeaway
Car tech is getting smarter, but it’s not a replacement for an alert human driver. China’s new rules aim to keep everyone safer by setting realistic expectations.
Think of it like training wheels on a bike: they help, but you still need to steer and balance yourself.