In recent years, the automotive industry has been swept up in a wave characterized by four main trends: electrification, intelligence, sharing, and connectivity—often referred to as the “New Four Modernizations.” As a result, major car manufacturers are racing to develop smart electric vehicles. Simultaneously, supportive infrastructure and regulations related to autonomous driving are gradually being established, thereby enhancing the connected vehicle ecosystem.
While smart technology has become an unavoidable topic across the entire automotive value chain, the transition from “smart driving” to “fully autonomous driving” is still fraught with challenges. Automotive industry analyst Sun Wei notes that with current technological capabilities and the level of adoption for smart driving, automotive systems primarily serve as “driver assistants.” To truly allow these systems to take over driving tasks, a wealth of data and cutting-edge technical support, along with practical testing, is necessary.
Nonetheless, some adventurous individuals are willing to relinquish full control of their vehicles to smart driving systems, sometimes out of curiosity or a desire for convenience. Recently, a video circulated online showing a vehicle traveling at high speed on a highway, while the occupants reclined their seats in the front row and went to sleep under blankets—an act that garnered significant attention.
As the incident gained traction, discussions regarding the safety and convenience of smart driving emerged both within and outside the industry. Questions like “Is fully autonomous driving illegal?” “How rapidly will smart driving evolve?” and “What measures are necessary for the sustainable development of smart driving?” became hot topics of debate.
The alarming video triggered widespread interest for a couple of reasons, according to Sun Wei. “First, the vehicle was operating in an area with heavy traffic and high speeds. Second, the driver’s actions—sleeping while the vehicle was in control—dramatically contrasted with expected driving behavior, creating a strong visual impact.”
The video featured a driver of a Zeekr vehicle who had cleverly wedged a plastic bottle in the steering wheel to mislead the car’s driving assistance system into thinking the driver’s hands were on the wheel. Subsequently, the driver activated the vehicle’s autonomous driving features while he and a passenger lounged with blankets, all while surrounded by numerous other vehicles speeding and maneuvering around them—leaving viewers anxious for their safety.
Reactions vary: some argue that drivers who misuse assistance features should have their licenses revoked, while others alert that should an accident occur, not only would the passengers in the video be at risk, but other road users would also be endangered. There are calls for strict legal repercussions for the driver in the video to prevent similar risks in the future.
The Zeekr brand took notice of the widespread discussion. Guan Haitao, CMO of Zeekr Intelligent Technology, reposted the news on social media, stating, “We acknowledge the situation. While we understand the user’s recognition and trust in our driving capabilities, we strongly discourage the actions depicted in the video.”
Guan emphasized that the intention behind developing smart driving functions is to alleviate driving burdens and enhance safety through responsible use of related technologies—principles that align with the safety ethos of the Zeekr brand. He urged users to follow regulations and safety norms while using smart driving features, to foster a safer travel environment for everyone.
In reality, the driver’s behavior in the video not only poses significant dangers but also teeters on the edge of legality. Attorney Yu Dazhao of Beijing Yingke Law Firm commented, “I’ve seen many internet users suggest that this behavior should be classified as ‘dangerous driving,’ but there are currently no judicial precedents for such cases in China.”
Yu pointed out that the actions of the driver do not fall under the categories defined by Chinese criminal law concerning reckless driving or drunk driving, making it less likely to be deemed as “dangerous driving.” Additionally, the video alone does not provide enough evidence to ascertain the driver’s subjective intent, complicating potential legal categorizations under public safety laws.
“Although these actions are not classified as illegal, it does not mean they are compliant with safety regulations,” Yu added. “Should the driver cause a serious accident due to fully autonomous driving, it could lead to charges under the law for ‘causing public safety hazards negligently,’ with penalties ranging from three to seven years in prison.”
Yu cautioned, “Given the current technology, existing driving assistance capabilities do not truly allow the driver to ‘let go’—the intervention and guidance of a human driver remain critical. An accident resulting from complete reliance on autonomous driving could be detrimental to both the driver and others.”
From the introduction of pilot-assisted drive functions by multiple car brands to the deployment of ‘no-map city NOA’ capabilities across more vehicles, the development of smart driving has become a new frontier for the automotive sector. Statistics reveal that the domestic smart driving market has surged from 49 billion to 199.6 billion yuan from 2016 to 2023. The China Automotive Engineering Society anticipates that the value of the smart connected vehicle industry will exceed 700 billion yuan by 2025 and reach 2.6 trillion yuan by 2030.
“As the wave of smart driving picks up momentum, it becomes increasingly crucial for both industry stakeholders and drivers to remain vigilant about safety—maintaining strict safety standards. This vigilance is essential for facilitating the evolution of smart driving and speeding up the arrival of truly autonomous vehicles,” Sun Wei noted.
As Sun pointed out, the more heated the market becomes, the tighter the safety measures should be. An apt historical analogy is the story of the Hindenburg airship, once a popular mode of air travel, which met its downfall in a catastrophic fire that claimed 35 lives—a disaster that ultimately marked the end of commercial airships.
Likewise, while smart driving features are designed to ease driver workload and enhance safety, the illegal activities of the driver in the video transform these systems into potential hidden threats for traffic accidents. Such behavior can breed public distrust and resistance toward smart driving systems, ultimately hindering their widespread adoption and road testing.
Moreover, as reminders for drivers to prioritize the safety of themselves and others resonate, discussions also shift towards how car manufacturers should effectively introduce smart driving technologies. In some new car launches, phrases like “L3-level capabilities” and “drive confidently on high-speed roads” have frequently featured, raising questions about the appropriateness of such messaging.
In Sun Wei’s view, automotive companies, as key players in the smart driving arena, not only need to bolster their investment in technology but also take on the responsibility of guiding and regulating the development of smart driving. “While promoting their smart driving capabilities, manufacturers should also cleverly emphasize safety reminders to consumers. Only by respecting safety thresholds and striving to expand the smart driving market will automotive companies hope to achieve their desired market share.”
“In summary, there’s still room for improvement regarding laws, reducing costs, and increasing consumer acceptance in the smart connected vehicle sphere. Especially when it comes to intelligent driving technology, safety and user-friendliness should be of paramount importance to enhance the driving experience,” Sun concluded.
