Driver assistance technology still in infancy stage

Automotive industry insiders called for down-to-earth fundamental research and development on advanced driver assistance systems, to secure the safety of both passengers and pedestrians, while some carmakers are focusing on mass models' piloted driving functions regardless of safety risks.

The experts recognized the driver assistance systems applied in products currently on the market were at an elementary level, and far from the automated driving yet to come.

"The automakers need to further step up the advanced driver assistance system technologies, rather than boasting about 'autonomous driving'," said Fu Yuwu, president of the Society of Automotive Engineers of China.

"Safety is the number one principle in the automotive industry, then energy saving, and being environment friendly. Without safety, fully autonomous driving would be meaningless."

He made the remark recently in Beijing after the release ceremony of the China Automotive Industry Development Report, also known as the 2016 Auto Blue Book.

The report, jointly written by the Development Research Center of the State Council, the Society of Automotive Engineers of China and Volkswagen Group China, analyzes the sector's development trends and structural changes centered on intelligence and connectivity.

Jia Xinguang, a seasoned auto analyst in Beijing, echoed that the piloted driving or autopilot systems are not even close to real autonomous driving technologies, which require heavy investment in radars, lidars, sensors, maps and more.

"Automated driving is still in its infancy. Those found in mass products are advanced driver assistance systems, a kind of proactive safety technology," said Jia.

The automotive industry is experiencing radical innovation and products are heading toward intelligent connected cars, according to the 2016 Auto Blue Book. The publication also proposes suggestions on policies, infrastructures, core technology research, standardization and legal frameworks.

Fu told China Daily: "The Chinese auto industry is learning intelligence and connectivity technologies from scratch, and demanding specialty support. An alliance, formed by almost every related company, is developing industrial standardization."

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is drafting a production standard framework. Also, a committee of experts is being prepared to research and establish the standards for intelligent connected vehicles' technology, intelligent assistance and information security.

Liu Shijin, former vice-president of the Development Research Center of the State Council, said: "Intelligent traffic systems are going to be a critical part of infrastructure in the future. But I don't expect it to develop in a short time, as ef cient as the decision-making process to build a highway.

"There's a significant gap between the demands on the intelligent traf c system and the related supplies."

Testing technologies

An enclosed environment for intelligent connected cars' non-highway tests in the National Intelligent Connected Vehicle Testing Demonstration Base in Shanghai opened in June. China's first national-level demonstration base is expected to facilitate R&D, standards studies and policy formulation, besides testing the technology itself.

China's auto industry regulator warned automakers in July against conducting public highway trials before the country releases regulations, as many companies and individuals conducted road tests in the country.

In the first week of September, Beijing-based Chinese web services company Baidu Inc's US subsidiary received a permit to test automated driving vehicles in California, becoming the 15th permitted company to do so.

The tests in California are usually monitored by government of cials and policemen, and conducted by authorized people during a certain time period, along an approved route.

Last year, Volvo Cars demonstrated its automated driving on Beijing's sixth ring road, and Baidu carried out a similar road test on the fi fth ring road in December.

Chinese automaker Chongqing Changan Automobile Co Ltd completed a 1,931-kilometer trek from Chongqing to Beijing with an automated-driving car in April.