A driver using the Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) system on the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway near Anshun was involved in a rear-end collision. The vehicle was traveling at 120 km/h when the NOA system disengaged just 10 meters before hitting a large truck, leaving the driver no time to brake.
This incident has sparked significant public discussion, trending on social media. Reports indicate that at least 10 similar accidents involving advanced driver-assistance systems have occurred in recent years, including a case where a driver had less than 10 seconds to react after the system prompted a manual takeover.
Experts emphasize that all currently available consumer vehicles are equipped with Level 2 or lower driver-assistance technology. These systems are designed to act as assistants to reduce driving fatigue rather than fully autonomous solutions capable of handling all complex traffic scenarios.
Under current Chinese standards, intelligent driving is classified into six levels, from L0 to L5. Drivers are warned that relying on these systems while being distracted can lead to significant legal consequences, including civil liability, administrative penalties, and potential criminal prosecution.
