Shocking footage shows autonomous vehicle dragging scooter
But a recent incident has raised serious safety concerns.
Footage shared on social media shows a self-driving delivery van dragging a scooter along a major road in Xi'an, China, heightening fears over safety regulations.
According to reports, the truck, developed by Jiushi Intelligent Technology Co., was trying to navigate around debris when it became entangled with a scooter that had been involved in a prior crash.
In the video, the vehicle's front left wheel has visibly driven over a scooter, causing the wheel to lock.
Self-driving van dragging scooter
Self-driving van dragging a scooter in China. Picture: @MikeHeu/Reddit
MORE: Huge blow for Australia's EV drivers announced
Surprisingly, the autonomous system continues to drive.
'A bit concerning that the robot van doesn't know it has a wheel completely locked up,' one Reddit user said.
'Man the front left wheel isn't even spinning. You would think it would be able to sense that at the very minimum,' another user said.
The video has been video over 50,000 times on social media which has raised concerns on what would have happened if it were a person or an animal that was being dragged instead.
According to online reports, the manufacturer stated that this was the first time such an incident had occurred and promised to improve its algorithm to detect irregularly shaped obstacles better.
China is leading the way in autonomous driving. Picture: X/@niccruzpatane
China uses self-driving vans for short distance delivery. Picture: X/@niccruzpatane
MORE: China unveils plan to smash Tesla in Aus
In recent years, China has been accelerating the rollout of autonomous delivery vehicles, particularly for short-distance logistics to help address labour shortages and boost efficiency.
This growth has also been fuelled by government incentives and policies designed to accelerate adoption.
In Australia, there are laws that prohibit the use of automated vehicles on public roads nationwide.
Australia, however, has no national laws allowing fully automated vehicles on public roads.
While many modern cars offer partial automation through Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) — such as lane-keep assist and parking assist — these features still require a human driver to remain fully responsible.
However, the Federal Government is preparing for the future of autonomous driving.
The government currently working with the National Transport Commission and state and territory governments to develop a consistent legal framework for the safe introduction of automated vehicles.
'The department is working with the National Transport Commission and state and territorial governments to implement this national approach,' according to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website.
'The department is developing the AVSL in line with the National in-service safety framework for automated vehicles developed by the National Transport Commission.
'The AVSL will deliver a nationally consistent regulatory approach to ensure the safe operation of automated vehicles on Australian roads.'
Read related topics: China Ties
James Chung
Digital Content Creator
James is a Digital Content Creator at news.com.au and is part of the News Corp Australia's digital real estate team. His previous experience includes working for Sky News Australia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
8 hours ago
- ABC News
ABC International Development launches international media networking platform
The Indo-Pacific Media Network launches this week, linking "alumni" from ABC International Development (ABCID) programs and creating a dynamic way for journalists and media professionals in Asia and the Pacific to exchange ideas, build relationships and identify career development opportunities. The Network will operate via a newly created private Facebook Group and is open to anyone who has participated in ABCID programs. ABCID Manager Jo Elsom said, "We are building a cross-border community to harness the unlimited potential of approximately 6,000 media professionals across 23 countries in the Indo-Pacific region who have been part of ABCID programs since 2020." "This will be a dedicated space for ongoing learning and professional development, where media professionals who are passionate about serving their communities and the public interest can lean on each other to navigate industry challenges such as information integrity, skills development, business sustainability, artificial intelligence and mis- and disinformation." ABCID will manage the network, developed in consultation with media from 10 countries in Asia and the Pacific. ABCID supports leaders, journalists, content makers, broadcast technicians and media organisations working in news, sport, content production, behaviour change communications and media sector development. Learn more about how to join the Indo-Pacific Media Network here. -- For interviews or media enquiries, please contact: Marlesha Havea Communications Manager, ABC International Development
The Australian
9 hours ago
- The Australian
Bizarre ‘Nintendo' solution to huge road problem
Chinese carmaker XPeng has unveiled a quirky new feature that could address one of Australia's biggest driving problems - road rage. And the EV maker's solution might be one of the cleverest ways to deal with bad drivers. The feature, called 'Road Rage Reliever', lets frustrated drivers 'throw' virtual emojis at the offender's car by using the vehicle's AR head-up display found in the new XPeng models. And it will look familiar to anyone who has enjoyed a game of Mario Kart, the Nintendo game that allows you to toss items at other road users while you race. XPeng will allow drivers to throw virtual emojis at other cars. Picture: Instagram/em3rging XPeng revealed the feature in the all-new P7. Picture: XPeng MORE: China's RAM ute dupe to land in Aus Video circulating on social media shows the feature being introduced during the unveiling of the P7 which offers a massive 87-inch AR-HUD. During a live demonstration, XPeng showed how drivers can express their frustration by throwing virtual emojis onto the car in front by pressing a button on the steering wheel. XPeng claims the feature offers a safer way to release frustration without engaging in aggressive driving. XPeng's Road Rage Reliever feature. Picture: X/@42how_ MORE: China unveils plan to smash Tesla in Aus However, the idea has received mixed opinions. Users online praised the feature as being the perfect solution for people with road rage, while others worry it could lead to further incidents caused by driver distraction. 'So you tap the screen while driving....I wonder what happens when driving distracted,' one user on Instagram said. 'Ummm does this distract the drivers?,' another said. 'This will not distract the driver in the slightest....,' another user said sarcastically. 'Imagine throwing a bunch, then they crash, and then you crash. Drivers shouldn't be allowed more distractions,' another commented. While there is visible criticism, other users saw the humorous side of things. 'Now add proximity chat at the same time with a timer. Turn the streets into a COD lobby,' One user said. 'Being visible only to you makes it ineffective, but if it was to both it'd end up being a game,' another said. XPeng revealed the feature in the all-new P7. Picture: XPeng Inside the P7. Picture: XPeng MORE: Famous sports car hints at bold EV future According to XPeng, the feature is optional, and drivers must decide when it's safe to use. The XPeng P7 is being considered for the Australian market, but there is no confirmation yet on whether Australians will have the opportunity to see this vehicle on local roads. Additionally, it remains uncertain if the innovative Road Rage Reliever feature will be included if the car does become available. However, if introduced, it could be a surprisingly fitting addition considering the Australia's driving habits. Did somebody say Mario Kart? In September 2024, a survey conducted by the insurer NRMA involving 1,464 drivers from two states highlighted a concerning trend in Australia's driving behaviour. The survey results revealed that 71 per cent of respondents had witnessed tailgating, 67 per cent had observed drivers excessively honking their horns, 60 per cent had noticed the use of hand gestures, and 58 per cent had seen motorists deliberately cutting in front of others. James Chung Digital Content Creator James is a Digital Content Creator at and is part of the News Corp Australia's digital real estate team. His previous experience includes working for Sky News Australia.
ABC News
11 hours ago
- ABC News
ATO's call for PepsiCo to pay Australian tax over exclusive bottling deal thrown out by High Court
A bid by the Australian Tax Office to impose taxes on American soft drink giant PepsiCo has failed comprehensively today, with the High Court throwing out its case against the makers of Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Gatorade. The court has rejected two prongs of an ATO case claiming the company was liable to pay Australian taxes. The target for the ATO was an exclusive bottling agreement Schweppes Australia has to produce the famous drinks, using concentrate bought from an Australian Pepsi group company in Singapore. The key question in the case was whether there was a sharing of intellectual property, which would amount to a royalty that would attract a tax. The case involved a complex network of relationships between Schweppes Australia and various Pepsi companies along with the owners of Gatorade, Stokley-Van Camp Inc, which is a US resident member of the Pepsi Group. Under the exclusive bottling agreement, Schweppes Australia would pay the Australian-registered PepsiCo Beverage Singapore, for concentrate to make the drinks. More than 99 per cent of the money for the concentrate was then passed on to a Singaporean company in the PepsiCo group. The tax office told the High Court that under the exclusive arrangement, Schweppes got to use trademarks and other intellectual property to sell the drinks. But PepsiCo told the High Court the agreement made no mention of intellectual property or royalties, and it was not liable for the tax. The tax office said the lack of a specific allocation for intellectual property rights didn't mean the company did not derive income consistent with being a royalty. The dispute began in the financial year 2018 and 2019, when the tax office assessed PepsiCo and Stokley-Van Camp as non-residents liable for the royalty withholding tax. But the arrangements had long been in place. Schweppes Australia first entered into separate exclusive bottling agreements with PepsiCo and Stokley-Van Camp Inc, in 2009. The deal in which Schweppes Australia paid PepsiCo Beverage Singapore for the concentrate to make the drinks began in 2016. The ATO also put an alternative to the High Court, suggesting that if PepsiCo was not liable for royalty tax, it should have to pay a different tax set up in circumstances where there is a scheme to create a tax benefit. The Diverted Profits Tax was introduced in 2017. The ATO told the High Court the exclusive bottling agreements formed the scheme, which it says helped PepsiCo get a tax benefit. Today, the High Court ruled that the money paid by Schweppes to the Singapore Pepsi company for concentrate did not include a component that was a royalty for intellectual property, and in any case, none of the payments were credited to the American Pepsi companies. The court also found that the overseas companies did not obtain a tax benefit from any scheme.
