China has taken another step forward in the self-driving car market. The country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has made its first approval for cars with level-3 autonomous driving capabilities. The two electric sedans come from state-owned automakers Changan Auto and BAIC Motor.
The US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines level-3 driving as “the system handles all aspects of the driving task while you, as the driver, are available to take over driving if requested. If the system can no longer operate and prompts the driver, the driver must be available to resume all aspects of the driving task.”
According to a translation of MIIT’s announcement, the Changan vehicle can drive autonomously in single lanes of both highways and urban expressways in traffic congestion. It is allowed solely in certain areas of Chongqing at a maximum speed of 50 km/h (31 mph). The BAIC electric sedan can also function autonomously on the same roads, but only in areas of Beijing at a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
“The team strictly followed the standards and procedures to conduct preliminary review, selection, testing, and safety assessments,” MIIT stated. “Both automotive companies have completed and passed the product testing and safety assessments as required.” They didn’t present a timeline for when the models would become available.
The US approved its first certified level-3 car in January 2023, a Mercedes.
