China to Implement Mandatory National Standards for L2 Autonomous Driving

The upcoming implementation of a 'safety benchmark' is expected to end long-standing exaggerations and reckless growth in the automotive industry. Statistics indicate that in 2023, the sales proportion of new energy vehicles equipped with L2-level (combined advanced driving assistance systems) reached 55.3%. In 2024, this figure is projected to exceed 60%. Meanwhile, features like Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) are rapidly becoming mainstream, reshaping user experiences and market dynamics. However, the rapid penetration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has resulted in some traffic accidents, raising widespread social concern. Zhang Jinhua, Chairman of the China Society of Automotive Engineers and Executive Director of the National Intelligent Connected Vehicle Innovation Center, noted that there is a gap between the maturity of automotive intelligent technology and market expectations, stating that the current onboard perception systems still have significant limitations in complex scenarios. The industry has been calling for clear and mandatory safety standards to define corporate responsibilities and protect user rights. In response to urgent market needs, the national standard formulation has accelerated. On June 4, the National Standard Information Public Service Platform officially announced the national standard project for 'Safety Requirements for Combined Driving Assistance Systems in Intelligent Connected Vehicles'. This mandatory standard aims to ensure the safety of L2-level autonomous driving systems and is being drafted by several key entities, including the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, Dongfeng Motor Group, and Huawei Technologies. The standard specifies general technical requirements for combined driving assistance systems, including motion control capabilities, driver state monitoring, driver intervention, system boundaries and responses, detection capabilities, and functional safety requirements. It also outlines corresponding review requirements and typical operating test methods. The announcement of this standard marks a pivotal moment for the intelligent driving sector, transitioning from a phase driven by technology to one guided by standardization. The core goal is to strictly regulate the functional performance of combined driving assistance systems, systematically enhance product safety, and ultimately improve road safety in China. Notably, since the beginning of this year, regulatory authorities have set clear requirements regarding the promotional language and safety boundaries for companies in the intelligent connected vehicles sector. Following the release of the 'Intelligent Driving Safety Initiative' by 11 major automakers, the industry has cooled its promotional tone, now focusing on 'safety' and 'reliability' instead of more aggressive terms. The implementation of the 'Safety Requirements' is seen as a watershed event, marking a shift from prioritizing speed and heat to emphasizing safety and quality in the development of the smart vehicle industry.