China bans road tests of self-driving cars until rules are set
China's auto industry regulator said it's working with police to formulate rules governing the testing of autonomous cars, warning automakers that they shouldn't test their self-driving vehicles on highways before the regulations are released.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and police have a preliminary draft of the rules, She Weizhen, head of the ministry's autos department, said in a forum in Beijing. She did not indicate when the regulations will be finalized.
In China, the push for self-driving vehicles is part of a broader state initiative to urge manufacturers to upgrade autonomous technology.
China's moratorium on highway tests may set back efforts by automakers to introducing automated vehicles. Local road tests allow them to study China's traffic conditions, driving habits and signage.
The technology has come under closer scrutiny following the fatal crash in May of a Tesla Model S sedan equipped with Autopilot in the United States. That incident may slow the momentum that had been building in China for the introduction driverless cars.
In March, the chairmen of Internet search provider Baidu Inc. and automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. urged the government to speed up the drafting of a legal framework for the technology.
And in April, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. completed a 1,200-mile trip with a self-driving car that employed cameras and radar.
In China, the push for self-driving vehicles is part of a broader state initiative to urge manufacturers to upgrade autonomous technology.
China's moratorium on highway tests may set back efforts by automakers to introducing automated vehicles. Local road tests allow them to study China's traffic conditions, driving habits and signage.
The technology has come under closer scrutiny following the fatal crash in May of a Tesla Model S sedan equipped with Autopilot in the United States. That incident may slow the momentum that had been building in China for the introduction driverless cars.
In March, the chairmen of Internet search provider Baidu Inc. and automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. urged the government to speed up the drafting of a legal framework for the technology.
And in April, Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. completed a 1,200-mile trip with a self-driving car that employed cameras and radar.
