Chinese authorities have decided to abandon one of the most recognizable symbols of modern cars with autopilot. Manufacturers will soon be banned from installing turquoise or blue indicators that show the operation of driver assistance systems. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Carnewschina.
The issue concerns external light indicators that illuminate when advanced driving assistants are activated. In recent years, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have begun using them en masse.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) concluded that such lights do not comply with the national standard GB4785, which regulates external lighting devices for vehicles. According to the document, blue color is not included in the list of permitted colors for external lighting.
According to Chinese media, testing centers will stop certifying new models with such indicators. Authorities are still discussing what to do with cars already on the roads with turquoise lighting.
Turquoise lights have become a "distinctive sign" of vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems. They inform others that the car is partially controlled by electronics. The color was chosen specifically to avoid confusion with conventional white headlights, yellow turn signals, or red brake lights.
Such indicators are already used by BYD, Li Auto, Xiaomi, Aito, Geely, Xpeng, and other Chinese brands.
The ban does not mean China is abandoning the development of autonomous driving. On the contrary, the country continues to tighten safety requirements for such systems. It is possible that later a separate national standard will be developed for such indicators, with requirements for color, brightness, and installation location.
Earlier, Kursiv Avto reported how in China, a Zeekr 9X owner had an accident while the autopilot was operating, but the company explained the accident by the shape of a road pillar.