(Yicai) Aug. 2 -- China plans to strengthen supervision of over-the-air software upgrades and driver assistance systems in smart connected vehicles to prevent automakers from concealing defects.

Carmakers will be required to file information to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration of Market Regulation before carrying out any OTA upgrades, according to a draft regulation issued yesterday.

Management capabilities, vehicle models and functions, specific upgrade details, and other supporting materials are among the information firms will need to provide.

Companies use OTA upgrades to remotely bring up to date the software on a device without the need for physical connections or direct user intervention. The technology is widely used for vehicles, smartphones, computers, tablets, and other consumer electronics.

The SAMR will be responsible for assessing the information filed by automakers, supervising and inspecting the application method of OTA upgrades, and preventing firms from hiding vehicle defects or evading liabilities. If the SAMR finds that OTA upgrades do not meet the requirements, then firms will have to formulate vehicle recall plans and submit them to the SAMR.

The draft also requires firms that make vehicles with integrated driver assistance systems to improve their safety capabilities, conduct thorough testing and validation, ensure product quality and safety, fulfill notification obligations, ensure that drivers perform required dynamic driving tasks and maintain control over the system, and set up a robust incident reporting and assessment mechanism.

China ordered six OTA recalls involving nearly 1.2 million vehicles last year, a third more than in the previous year, according to data from the SAMR.

Nearly 10 million connected passenger cars with assisted driving capabilities were sold in China in 2023, accounting for more than 47 percent of the total, according to figures from the National Innovation Center of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles. Frequent accidents involving smart driving systems have led to concerns over the technology’s safety.

Editor: Futura Costaglione