Brief Summary
This video discusses a recent smart driving test conducted in China by Don't Show a D in collaboration with CCTV, which assessed the driver-assist capabilities of 36 mainstream car models under extreme conditions. The test revealed significant shortcomings in the performance of many Chinese domestic brands, with Tesla models achieving the highest pass rates. The video also covers a separate incident involving a BYD car spinning uncontrollably in an airport parking lot, raising concerns about the reliability and safety of Chinese electric vehicles. The test results and the BYD incident have sparked online discussions about the current state of smart driving technology and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the Chinese automotive industry.
- The Don't Show a D and CCTV test evaluated 36 car models under 15 extreme conditions.
- Tesla models performed best, while many Chinese brands had low pass rates.
- A separate incident involving a BYD car spinning uncontrollably in an airport parking lot raised further safety concerns.
Intro
On July 23rd, Chinese car website Don't Show a D partnered with CCTV to conduct a realistic highway smart driving test. This test quickly gained attention due to its comprehensive evaluation of mainstream car models' driver assist capabilities under extreme conditions. The test involved renting a 15 km stretch of highway and city roads to assess the performance of 36 cars, including models from Tesla, Xpunk, WJ, Jujuia, Avita, Lee Auto, Tangu, Wayblue Mountain, Xiaomi, NIO, Leap Motor, Zeer, Leo, and BYD.
City and Highway Scenario Test Results
The test simulated 15 high-risk scenarios to replicate how assistive driving systems would react in complex environments. In city scenarios, nine different scenes were tested, including navigating roundabouts, dealing with parked electric bikes, and avoiding hidden cars. Out of 233 tests, only 103 passed, resulting in a 44.2% pass rate. Tesla's Model X performed the best, achieving an 88.9% pass rate. In highway scenarios, six types of tests were conducted, such as encountering accidents and wild animals. Out of 183 tests, only 44 passed, giving a pass rate of 24%. Many cars failed to recognise a wild boar model as a high-priority object, mistaking it for something less significant.
Industry Reactions and Analysis
The smart driving test results were met with significant online reaction, with one car blogger's analysis gaining 47,000 likes in under 24 hours. The test was considered an embarrassment for the car industry, revealing that many systems failed to meet expectations. The outcome was particularly disappointing for top-tier brands like Huawei, Tesla, Xiaomi, and Neo. The test included six different projects, and no car passed all of them, highlighting the limitations of current driving assistance systems.
Specific Test Examples and Brand Claims
The best-performing cars, Tesla Model 3 and Model X, passed five out of six tests. One test involved a car suddenly changing lanes with a broken-down car ahead. Tesla's models passed easily, while Xiaomi's SU7 Max crashed. Another test assessed nighttime recognition in pitch-black conditions. Tesla performed well, while Xiaomi's SU7 Max Elite Auto L6 failed to stop in time despite having both visual and LAR systems. The overall results showed that many cars had a low survival rate in high-speed accidents, raising questions about claims of L3 or L4 level autonomy.
Contradictory Claims and Real-World Incidents
The test results contradicted claims made by several brands about their advanced driver assistance systems. Huawei's CEO, Yuch Chong Dong, had previously stated that Huawei's system surpassed Tesla's, but the test results did not support this. Similarly, Xiaomi's CEO, Le Jun, claimed extensive real-road testing, but a Xiaomi SU7 crashed into a guardrail, resulting in fatalities. BYD also marketed its low-cost Seagull with high-level smart driving features, adding to public confusion. The Dongcha D test highlighted that current systems cannot replace human drivers and still have gaps in complex scenarios.
Industry Responses and Further Incident
Following the Dongcha smart driving test, Tesla CEO Elon Musk noted that Tesla achieved the highest score without local training data. Voya Motors acknowledged the test's exposure of technical bottlenecks. Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance and other companies declined to comment. In a separate incident, a BYD car was filmed driving repeatedly in circles inside the Chungdu airport parking lot due to a braking malfunction. The driver was taken to hospital, and the car was eventually stopped remotely.
BYD Incident Analysis and Concerns
Eyewitness accounts and videos showed the BYD car spinning out of control, with the driver unable to stop it. The airport police stated that the driver was frustrated at being unable to reach his passenger, but many questioned this explanation. Some suggested that the vehicle malfunctioned, and the driver was trying to control it. Concerns were raised about the frequency of accidents involving domestic electric cars in mainland China and the suppression of negative news by car companies and authorities. An example was given of a BYD owner being detained for complaining about his car's battery issues.
