New Chinese standard eliminates the historical need for a physical connection (steering column) between the steering wheel and the wheels — that is, control can only be done through electronic signals and software.
What if it were possible to drive a car without a physical steering wheel? The idea may seem like something out of a science fiction film, but it could very well become reality in China.
The country’s State Administration for Market Regulation has approved a new mandatory standard that establishes the technical requirements for digital driving systems, with a focus on technology steer-by-wire (SbW).
Titled “Basic Requirements for Automotive Driving Systems”, the new set of rules officially comes into force on July 1, 2026 and is presented as a milestone for the global industry. The document eliminates the historical need for a physical connection (steering column) between the steering wheel and the wheels — that is, control can only be done through electronic signals and software.
The technology is already integrated into autonomous cars and should continue to be highlighted. According to consultancy TechSci Research, the system is expected to generate more than 7.2 billion dollars by 2031. Therefore, the new standard establishes clear requirements to guarantee the safety and reliability of systems that operate without mechanical intervention.
This advance puts China at the forefront of autonomous mobility, while also creating a security framework for technologies that are expected to generate billions of dollars in the coming years. The standard also regulates the reinforcement of safety mechanisms, with special focus on the vehicle’s response to electrical, power, energy or control failures.
The document requires robust warning systems, capable of identifying the possibility of aging or degradation in the performance of the SbW’s electronic components. It is also necessary to reinforce functional safety, essential in software-controlled systems.
