Chinese authorities warned drivers to stay vigilant and reduce the use of advanced driver-assistance technology during the Qing Ming Festival holiday, after three people died in an accident involving a Xiaomi Corp. electric car just over a week ago.
Signs saying the use of smart-driving systems are banned, or suggesting drivers deploy them with caution, were spotted by social media users during the April 4-6 long weekend on expressways in Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, according to local media reports. The Xiaoxiang Morning Herald also cited Anhui traffic police telling the public to avoid using advanced driver technology if possible.
Police are still investigating the March 29 incident, when three women traveling in a Xiaomi SU7 on an expressway in Anhui died. The car’s Navigate on Autopilot function was engaged shortly before a section with roadworks. Less than 20 minutes later — and after warnings of obstacles in the road — the vehicle slammed into concrete fencing on the side of the lane, according to an initial report from Xiaomi on April 1. The EV subsequently burst into flames, according to media reports.
Some social media users suggested that the signs warning to take care when using advanced driving systems have been around since last year. But with the fatal accident fresh in people’s minds, more drivers seem to be taking notice of the warnings and adopting a more cautious approach.
Xiaomi has also maintained a low profile since the accident. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Lei Jun, who usually posts on Chinese social media daily, was silent for five days after he expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He resurfaced on Sunday to publish a short message to mark the 15th anniversary of the company’s founding. For its 10th anniversary, which fell during Covid, Lei streamed a three-hour speech commemorating the occasion.
The accident may not only be a setback for Xiaomi’s EV business, but also for the likes of Tesla Inc. and BYD Co. which have staked smart driving as the future of the industry and a technology that could give them a boost over rivals.
Photograph: The controls and screen interface of a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra electric vehicle at the MWC25 tech show in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, March 3, 2024. Photo credit: Angel Garcia/Bloomberg
Topics Personal Auto China
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