US Plans Ban On Chinese Software In Cars

The U.S. Commerce Department is set to propose regulations that would ban Chinese software in autonomous and connected vehicles with Level 3 automation and above.

This move, expected in the coming weeks according to Reuters, would also prevent the testing of autonomous vehicles made by Chinese companies on U.S. roads. The proposal would extend to vehicles equipped with advanced Chinese wireless communication modules, requiring automakers and suppliers to verify that their software is not developed by entities considered a security risk, like those based in China.

This action is part of the Biden administration's broader concerns about national security risks associated with connected vehicle technologies. The Commerce Department had previously indicated plans to address these concerns, and now they are moving forward with specific rules. A spokesperson emphasized the risks posed by connected technologies in vehicles, highlighting the potential for these systems to be used for surveillance or control.

China has pushed back, with a spokesperson from its embassy in Washington stressing the global nature of the electric vehicle industry and calling for fair competition. The spokesperson also indicated that China would protect its interests in response to these measures.

The upcoming rule follows concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers about Chinese companies testing autonomous vehicles in the U.S., particularly in California, where over 450,000 miles were logged by Chinese firms in the year ending November 2022. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has also expressed national security concerns related to Chinese autonomous vehicle companies.

This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.

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