A billboard activated the emergency braking system of a Chinese language jeep, and an accident occurred

Just lately the proprietor of a Chinese language crossover Li Auto L9 discovered the exhausting method that his “security techniques” have a blind spot as large as a billboard. The automotive was rear-ended not as a result of the motive force hit the brakes, however as a result of the on-board gear was fooling a billboard above Chinese language freeway lanes promoting two vans for actual automobiles.

The Li Auto L9 is provided with a full vary of driver help techniques, together with radar, ultrasonic sensors, cameras and a complicated lidar mounted simply above the windscreen. Whereas all of the {hardware} is in place, it appears that evidently the engineers of the Chinese language producer haven’t made the software program distinguish the advertisements from the automobiles themselves.

The motive force of the stricken SUV says that after the L9 hit the billboard, the Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) system kicked in, making use of the brakes at 77km/h. h.

Whereas the motive force largely avoids hitting the barrier on the facet of the freeway, the SUV is rear-ended by one other automotive. It did not undergo a lot injury and the proprietor will solely get away with a brand new bumper and tailgate.

“Phantom stops” like this aren’t unusual in automobiles with semi-autonomous driver help techniques, however that is the primary time we have heard of a automotive getting confused by a billboard. The motive force of the L9 reportedly demanded 20,000 yuan ($2,756) in compensation from Li Auto for the accident. The railway firm has supplied the proprietor 4,000 yuan (about $550) in money, however the deal has not been finalized. Li Auto admitted that “the system recognized an promoting picture as a automobile by mistake” and stated that “enhancements can be made to the software program system.”