[Economic Observation] Over-marketing of autonomous driving technology should be addressed
Recently, a 31-year-old entrepreneur drove a Weilai car in the Hanjiang section of Shenhai Expressway and crashed into a truck in front of him and died accidentally, pushing autonomous driving to the forefront of public opinion.
According to media reports, the vehicle was in the “NOP state” when the accident occurred, that is, the pilot assistance system was turned on, which caused concerns from all walks of life about the safety of autonomous driving.
However, Weilai said that the incident is under investigation, and it can be determined that Weilai did not provide "autonomous driving" services.
And Weilai customer service also responded that NOP pilot assistance is not automatic driving.
This is not the first time a similar accident has occurred, and it involves multiple car companies.
In recent years, dozens of accidents related to autonomous driving have occurred nationwide.
Autonomous driving refers to a cutting-edge technology that realizes complete, safe and effective driving through a computer system without human manipulation.
Wang Yao, Assistant Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Minister of Technology Department, stated that the auto-driving technology of automobiles is still in the process of development. The auto-driving capabilities of the mass-produced intelligent networked cars in the current auto market can only achieve the premise that the driver is responsible. Assisted driving function.
On the premise that the driver is responsible, the automatic driving assistance function can improve the safety of the driver.
In addition, in accordance with Article 62(3) of the "Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", driving a motor vehicle must not have complementary actions that hinder safe driving, such as making and receiving hand-held phones or watching TV.
According to industry insiders, under daily circumstances, traffic police will punish the act of leaving the steering wheel with both hands in accordance with this law.
As the media said, none of the vehicles that consumers can buy currently have full autonomous driving functions.
In other words, the current technology can only achieve assisted driving, not automatic driving, and there is still a long way to go before the owner can completely free his hands.
However, for the sake of commercial interests, some car companies failed to clarify or even confuse the concepts of "assisted driving", "automatic assisted driving" and "automatic driving" in their publicity, which intentionally or unintentionally misled users.
On the sales side, there is a phenomenon that more salespersons "determine by heart" in the promotion of intelligent driving technology.
In addition, some consumers lack knowledge of the problems and risks of related technologies due to the lack of accumulation of professional knowledge.
Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the National Passenger Car Market Information Association, pointed out: “There is no doubt that businesses now have excessive marketing problems with autonomous driving technology, and consumers also have misunderstandings in the process of using them.”
At present, intelligent networked vehicles are becoming an important development direction for automobile upgrading, but no matter how the technology develops, safety is the first.
Some insiders call for the over-marketing of autonomous driving technology to be addressed.
It is necessary to unify marketing techniques and grading standards, so that users have a clear understanding of the grading of autonomous driving technology, and at the same time, more rigorous standards are required in publicity to avoid misleading consumers.
As a car company, it should also shoulder greater responsibilities and need to train car owners or monitor their driving operations.
Some people in the industry suggest that for the use of vehicle assisted driving or automatic driving functions, car companies should educate drivers on safety by printing vehicle manuals, recording videos, etc., and informing drivers of the necessary operations and operations in the process of using related functions. Matters needing attention and so on.
The safety issue of intelligent networked vehicles has attracted the attention of relevant national departments.
Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the "Opinions on Strengthening the Management of Intelligent Connected Automobile Manufacturers and Product Access", which stated that without approval, no new or updated auto-driving functions may be added or updated through online software upgrades; car companies should clearly inform the vehicles Function and performance restrictions, driver responsibilities, human-computer interaction equipment instructions, function activation and exit methods and conditions, etc.
It is expected that with the joint efforts of the competent authorities and their industry associations, enterprises, consumers, etc., the pace, technological maturity and traffic safety performance of intelligent driving technology can achieve a more reasonable match, so that people can better enjoy the new technology. Convenience and safety.
Our reporter Yang Zhaokui