China Mandates Physical Buttons for Car Safety

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has proposed new regulations that mandate essential vehicle functions, such as turn signals and hazard lights, be controlled by physical switches at least 10mm x 10mm in size. This directly counters the trend of minimalist, screen-centric interiors favored by companies like Tesla and Xiaomi, aiming to mitigate safety risks associated with driver distraction and screen failures. The proposed rules come after China's recent ban on concealed door handles on EVs.

Beyond interior controls, China is codifying safety expectations for advanced driver-assistance technology. Mandatory standards for Level 3 and Level 4 automated driving systems require vehicles to demonstrate a safety level equivalent to an attentive human driver. Manufacturers must provide a "safety case" proving their systems can handle normal and critical driving scenarios. The regulations also define a "Minimal Risk Condition" for system failures or ignored takeover requests, ensuring the vehicle can reach a safe, stationary state.