China's top court has issued judicial guidance clarifying how courts should determine liability in disputes involving autonomous driving and driver-assistance vehicles, adding a new layer to the country's evolving regulatory framework for intelligent vehicles.
Huawei, for example, describes its Qiankun intelligent driving system as an assistance system rather than a substitute for the driver, while Nio says drivers remain responsible for monitoring the system and taking control when necessary.
But the Supreme People's Court makes it clear that the rule does not mean automakers automatically become liable whenever a driver-assistance vehicle is involved in an accident.
Chinese regulators have been building a broader safety framework around intelligent vehicles.
The standard sets safety requirements covering system functions, data recording, vehicle manufacturers' safety responsibilities, human-machine interaction, user instructions and training.