China's Autonomous Driving: Towards Full Autonomy, Challenging Tesla and Raising US Concerns

China's Autonomous Driving: Towards Full Autonomy, Challenging Tesla and Raising US ConcernsChina has made rapid strides in electric vehicles and is steadily advancing into the autonomous driving realm. Chinese companies are fiercely competing in the driver-assistance software space, from the startup Xpeng to tech giant Huawei, using AI to mimic human driving behavior and guide vehicles through various traffic scenarios

China's Autonomous Driving: Towards Full Autonomy, Challenging Tesla and Raising US Concerns

China has made rapid strides in electric vehicles and is steadily advancing into the autonomous driving realm. Chinese companies are fiercely competing in the driver-assistance software space, from the startup Xpeng to tech giant Huawei, using AI to mimic human driving behavior and guide vehicles through various traffic scenarios. However, even the most advanced driver-assistance systems still require drivers to remain vigilant and take over when necessary.

While Chinese driver-assistance technology is not yet widely used in the US, the American government is intensifying its scrutiny, investigating whether vehicles equipped with Chinese software, capable of monitoring drivers and connecting to the internet, pose national security threats.

China aspires to dominate autonomous driving technology, viewing it as a crucial step in its quest to become a global automotive powerhouse, posing a strong challenge to the West and Japan.

China's Advantages: EV Market and Consumer Acceptance

While Tesla holds an edge in driver-assistance technology in the US consumer market, China offers unique advantages that could speed up progress for its companies.

• Nearly half of the new cars purchased in China are electric or plug-in hybrids. Advanced driver-assistance technology relies heavily on electricity to power complex on-board computers for instantaneous decision-making. Electric vehicles, compared to gasoline cars with lead-acid batteries, offer a more stable power supply.

• Many Chinese consumers are tech-savvy but have less driving experience, making them more receptive to handing over vehicle control to computers. According to a PwC survey last year, 85% of Chinese consumers said they were willing to accept autonomous driving that doesn't require human operation or supervision, compared to just 39% of American consumers.

Government Support and Tesla Inspiration

Both driver-assistance systems and autonomous taxis are crucial steps towards full autonomy. Governments across China have introduced guidelines to promote the development of the autonomous vehicle industry.

Automotive analyst Michael Dunne says local governments are eager to help companies test the technology. "The whole ecosystem in China is set up to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous driving."

Tesla, from its minimalist interior design to its direct sales model, has been an inspiration to China's EV industry. Now, it's playing a similar role in driver-assistance technology.

End-to-End Driving Technology: The AI Challenge

Tesla and Chinese companies are both working on developing "end-to-end" driver-assistance technology powered by AI. This technology bypasses the reliance on high-definition maps and predefined rules, instead relying on a single AI model to process sensor data and determine driving behavior.

Trained on human driving data, the system can theoretically navigate new roads and situations automatically, although industry experts acknowledge that safety remains a challenge in rare driving circumstances.

Major Chinese carmakers and tech companies are aggressively pushing forward in this area. Xpeng launched its own end-to-end driving technology in May this year. The first BYD SUV utilizing end-to-end driving software will be available this year, while NIO also plans to launch similar technology.

According to market research firm Canalys, over half of the new cars sold in China in the first quarter of 2024 were equipped with L2 and L2+ level driver-assistance systems, which can handle steering, acceleration, and braking in certain conditions but still require drivers to be ready to take over.

Xpeng: Real-World Testing and Challenges

Xpeng claims its end-to-end driving system has been tested for about 6.4 million kilometers on Chinese roads and is ready for use nationwide. A Xpeng car equipped with this system costs just $22,000.

During a recent test drive in Guangzhou, a Xpeng employee took over the vehicle multiple times during a 10-kilometer journey. The car encountered situations requiring human intervention several times while navigating busy urban roads and quieter alleys.

One instance saw the vehicle slowly moving forward to attempt a left turn, despite the left turn signal being red, until the driver regained control. A Xpeng spokesperson explained that the vehicle was still in the left turn waiting area when the driver took over.

For most of the journey, the vehicle was able to drive autonomously without human intervention, reaching a top speed of about 70 km/h. Braking and smooth steering performance were satisfactory.

Li Liyun, head of Xpeng's autonomous driving center, stated, "This technology isn't meant to replace humans, but to help drivers reduce fatigue."

US Restrictions and Future Development

US consumers are currently unable to experience China's driver-assistance technology due to additional tariffs imposed on Chinese electric vehicles. However, Xpeng plans to bring its software to other overseas markets.

US export restrictions on advanced chips to China pose a challenge to the Chinese automotive industry. While the US has not yet restricted exports of NVIDIA Orin series and some Qualcomm chips, future policy changes could affect this situation.

However, Xpeng and NIO have already started designing their own chips, following Tesla's lead to reduce dependence on imported chips.

China's development in autonomous driving is unstoppable. Its continuous technological breakthroughs and strong government support will help it become a global leader in the field. This will also raise concerns in countries like the US about national security and technological competition.