China draws up safety rules for autonomous vehicles

China has developed comprehensive safety guidelines for autonomous vehicles, slated to commence on July 1, 2027. These rules cover both vehicles that require a human backup driver and those that operate independently, such as Waymo's robotaxis. Manufacturers are mandated to ensure that their autonomous systems match the safety standards of human drivers, as stated by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Buyers must also be informed about any limitations of these systems. The primary aim is to standardize human-machine interactions and prevent misuse or abuse, the ministry added. These new standards also necessitate that autonomous vehicles include safe mechanisms for activating and deactivating automated driving, particularly in vehicles with a human backup driver who must be ready to take control.

The introduction of these safety rules comes in response to safety concerns and the high costs associated with developing advanced systems. Beijing has also signaled stricter enforcement of these rules following a fatal crash involving a Xiaomi car in assisted driving mode in 2025. This new regulation follows the United Nations' adoption of the first global regulations for fully autonomous vehicles in June, a move China supported.