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China Balks at Foreign-Made Hi-Res Cameras for Self-Driving Cars

Citing national security concerns, China’s central government is hampering efforts by foreign carmakers to test self-driving cars in the country, the Financial Times reports.

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Citing national security concerns, China’s central government is hampering efforts by foreign carmakers to test self-driving cars in the country, the Financial Times reports.

At issue are the high-definition cameras and GPS required by autonomous vehicles to “read” their surroundings. The government believes the devices could be used for spying.

Foreign carmakers report they are being required to use locally developed technologies and rely on high-resolution mapping provided by 13 licensed Chinese companies. Domestic robotic-car developers tell FT they are not aware of the policy.

The government also is pushing local tech suppliers as part of its made-in-China initiative. FT cites SAE and Bernstein research that indicates the policy targets an 80% domestic share of the market by 2025 for radar units and high-definition cameras used in self-driving vehicles.

The central government does not formally allow autonomous cars to be tested on public roads, pending regulations governing robotic vehicles. FT says those rules may be unveiled as soon as February.

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