Initial Deadly Crash of Xiaomi SU7 Raises Concerns About Autonomous Driving Technology and Door Lock Mechanisms | Carscoops

      The fatal accident occurred while Xiaomi's driver assistance system was activated, according to reports.

      About 10 hours ago,

      by Brad Anderson

      A Xiaomi SU7 collided with a barrier after failing to navigate a closed construction lane.

      The electric sedan was operating on Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) at a speed of 116 km/h just before the tragic incident.

      Three college students lost their lives as a result of the EV igniting after the highway crash.

      In recent months, Xiaomi's team has received much acclaim and has likely become accustomed to seeing positive news. However, the company is now in the spotlight for negative reasons, as the SU7 sedan's first major accident has claimed three lives. This incident has raised concerns about the safety and dependability of advanced driver-assistance systems, overshadowing the tech giant's automotive aspirations.

      On March 29, a Xiaomi SU7 was traveling in Anhui Province, China, with three passengers. The vehicle was navigating the Dezhou–Shangrao Expressway while its NOA system was engaged, maintaining a constant speed of 116 km/h (72 mph). Upon nearing a construction area that was restricted with barriers, the SU7 collided with a concrete divider at 97 km/h (60 mph), leading to a fire that ultimately consumed the car.

      Xiaomi later provided a timeline of events leading up to the collision. At 10:44:24 p.m., the NOA warned of an "Obstacle ahead" and began to brake. One second later, the driver assumed control, turning left by 22.06 degrees and applying 31% brake pressure. A second later, the driver adjusted slightly to the right by 1.06 degrees and intensified the braking to 38%. Despite these apparent attempts to avert the crash, the vehicle struck the concrete barrier.

      The impact activated the eCall emergency system, and within 20 seconds, the registered owner of the SU7 was contacted and confirmed he was not the driver. An ambulance was sent and arrived around 11 p.m., but unfortunately, all three passengers had already perished.

      The Xiaomi SU7, traveling at 116 km/h on the highway with NOA engaged, recorded a last speed of 97 km/h just prior to hitting the guardrail. A fire erupted following the collision, resulting in the deaths of all three female college students. Xiaomi stated...

      Xiaomi has expressed its full cooperation with local investigators to uncover the reasons behind the accident. As reported by Reuters, referencing the Chinese newspaper Economic Observer, the father of one victim was informed by local police that the car key failed to unlock the doors post-impact. Xiaomi has indicated that it has not yet verified whether the doors were operable at the time of the accident.

      After news of the crash, shares in the Chinese technology firm dropped by 5%. Company CEO Lei Jun has promised to "address the concerns of families and society" while conducting an investigation into the accident.

      Photos courtesy of Weibo/Shine