- New study predicts that 15 million new Chinese cars will have autonomous technique
- Affordable models will be able to SAE Level 2 self -driving
- China is looking for fast track autonomous vehicles
A new study has revealed that about 15 million new cars sold in China will be equipped with at least SAE level 2-self-driving capabilities this year, including models that are priced below 100,000 yuan (which is less than $ 14,000), according to South China Morning Morning Stolke.
China EV100, which is a non-governmental organization that includes key players from China’s largest EV producers, claims that two out of three new cars sold on the mainland will have autonomous driving capacities this year. This will at least allow them to speed up, slow down, and change lanes without driver input.
Where this kind of advanced driver assistant system (ADAS) was once the reserve for more expensive models, mass production of technology has forced prices down to a point where even the most affordable vehicles can now offer them.
As a quick appearance, SAE level offers 2 autonomous vehicles partial automation, so they can speed up, slow down and even steer as long as the driver is always ready to take back control with the hands of the steering wheel in case.
Treading up to SAE level 3 allows drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel and eyes out of the way with the ability to engage IE emails on the vehicle’s infotainment system, for example.
Currently, this level is legally available on a handful of models and only under specific driving conditions in selected regions in the world, where Mercedes-Benz and BMW are leading.
Despite what Elon Musk says, Tesla is still very much at SAE-Level 2 until the legislation allows for unattended full self-driving on public roads.
In China, many car manufacturers have already seen the potential of autonomous driving, where UBS analyst Xu bin predicts that Chinese companies could save about 1.8 trillion yuan in annual labor costs by 2030, as thousands of trucks become driverless, according to South China Morning Post.
Analysis: China is building a fully autonomous future
In China, the self -driving experience does not come with the same stigma as it does in large parts of the Western world, where drivers are generally wary of its abilities.
On the contrary, young Chinese buyers actively seek the latest technology when buying new vehicles, with increasing levels of autonomy high on the shopping list.
By forcing the cost of the camera, Lidar, Sensor and Chipset Technology required (don’t let us get into how China has managed to do this), the country has been able to introduce it in a mass scale.
It is widely agreed that higher levels of automation on the road only really work when vehicles equipped with the required technology when critical mass.
There is a much slimmer chance of an accident that occurs if everyone on the highway uses a form of autopilot system, for example.
Despite this, there are still big car players in China who do not think we will ever reach a point where a human being is not involved. One of BYD’s spokespersons told journalists at Shanghai Auto Shanghai Auto Show that it is “basically impossible”.
But with two out of three new cars sold in China this year that meets the basic autonomous driving requirements, it may not be long before parts of the country could legitimately allow for much higher levels of autonomous activity on public roads .
This technological skill would make it easier to geo-fence certain areas where SAE level 3 systems, for example, are mandatory.
Alternatively, the country could even legislate that each new car sold must be able to automatically adapt to speed limits, keep lanes and autonomous braking, creating a more predictable environment for autonomous vehicles to thrive.
It is believed that Tesla’s full self -driving system, often considered one of the most advanced in the world, will begin testing in China this year.
With a more supportive framework, Elon Musk’s predictions of a fully autonomous future can be well realized … Only 7,000 miles away from where it was first conceived.
