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A High-Speed Collision
On March 29, a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan struck a concrete barrier on the Dezhou-Shangrao highway in Anhui Province, China. Three passengers in the vehicle were killed. According to details released by the company, the ‘Navigate on Autopilot’ feature was engaged during the time of the crash.
The vehicle was traveling at a speed of 116 km/h (approximately 72 mph) when an alert was triggered, instructing the driver to take control. Two seconds later, the car veered off its path and collided with a concrete structure. The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire. Witnesses reported that the doors did not unlock, trapping the occupants inside.
Assistance, Not Replacement
The SU7 model was equipped with Xiaomi’s standard intelligent system. This system can adjust speed, apply brakes, or change lanes automatically, yet it still requires an active driver. Xiaomi noted that this version does not detect certain obstacles like cones, animals, or stones.
In China, it is mandated by law to keep hands on the steering wheel even when an assistive system is active. The automaker confirmed that the driver had regained control of the wheel seconds before the collision but was unable to avoid the crash.
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Xiaomi’s founder, Lei Jun, released a statement on Weibo expressing his regrets, stating that the company will not shirk its responsibilities
and will continue to cooperate with the authorities.
Ongoing Investigation and Lingering Questions
A local police investigation is currently underway to ascertain the exact causes of the accident. Xiaomi has handed over the recorded driving data, but details on possible software updates or recalls of the model have not been disclosed yet.
The situation remains tense for the automaker, which recently set a sales target of 350,000 units by 2025.
The crash has reignited the debate over the actual limits of assisted driving, which is often mistakenly perceived as autonomous. In China, as in other parts of the world, several manufacturers face criticism for marketing promises that are vague or misleading. Caution is always advised, even with ‘smart’ cars.