China Prohibits Advertisements for Autonomous Vehicles and Beta Testing | Carscoops

      MIIT has prohibited misleading advertisements promoting "smart driving" technology, along with banning remote-summon functions and public beta testing.

      China has stopped automakers from employing vague terms like "smart driving" in their advertising for driver assistance systems

      Companies are now required to use the specific L1-5 codes established by the SAE to clearly indicate the levels of driver assistance.

      Additionally, MIIT has imposed restrictions on over-the-air updates and prohibited smart-summon features and public beta testing.

      Imagine if car manufacturers used various methods for reporting acceleration times. Some might use 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) as they currently do, while others could opt for 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h)—a practice seen with their fastest models—resulting in confusion when comparing different vehicles. This is akin to the current situation with driver-assistance technology, but China is taking action to address it.

      Clearer Standards, Fewer Buzzwords

      China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has implemented a series of regulations that limit how brands can market driver assistance technologies, banning common phrases such as “smart driving,” “autonomous driving,” and “intelligent driving,” often utilized in promoting advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

      Instead, brands are required to specify the level of technology according to the SAE's six levels of autonomous driving using the correct L-code. Level 0 denotes no driver assistance, while Level 5 signifies a fully autonomous vehicle. With the exception of Mercedes-Benz’s Level 3 Drive Pilot, the majority of available technology is currently at Level 2, which includes Tesla’s Full Self-Driving.

      For regular readers of Carscoops, the SAE codes will likely be familiar, having been developed years ago to eliminate confusion. However, many consumers may not be aware of these codes, and automakers often neglect to reference them in their marketing efforts.

      According to Car News China, another significant change instituted by the MIIT is the prohibition of remote-summon capabilities, such as Tesla’s Actually Smart Summon shown in the accompanying video, which enables vehicles to move without the driver present. This feature is currently under investigation in the US.

      The MIIT also mandates that driver monitoring systems must remain active, ensuring vehicles slow down, pull over, or activate hazard lights if the driver’s hands are not detected on the steering wheel for 60 seconds.

      Moreover, public beta testing of new ADAS features through software updates is now banned, and the MIIT is urging manufacturers to minimize the frequency of OTA updates. These regulations come shortly after a notable accident in China where three individuals lost their lives, with reports indicating a driver crashed his Xiaomi SU7 into a pole at 60 mph moments after regaining control from the vehicle’s semi-autonomous system. This also coincides with a period of intensified development and promotion of ADAS technology by China’s automotive industry.

      Should the West Follow Suit?

      What implications does this hold for the rest of the globe? Should Western countries adopt similar constraints and modifications? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know if you consider Chinese regulations overly cautious or prudent, as well as whether these rules might hinder the progress of genuinely autonomous vehicles.