On May 5, 2025, Professor Shiqi Ou, leader of the TRANS Research Group at South China University of Technology’s School of Future Technology, appeared on Guangdong TV’s Traffic Safety Special Program, offering expert insights on intelligent driving and new energy vehicle (NEV) technologies.
Balancing Innovation and Safety in Intelligent Driving
While advanced features like “full-scenario NOA,” “end-to-end autonomy,” and “zero intervention” enhance convenience, Prof. Ou cautioned that they also introduce safety concerns. He stressed that risks stem not from the technology itself, but from unclear operational boundaries, insufficient system redundancy, and user overreliance. Proper training, transparent communication of limitations, and rigorous scenario testing are key to mitigating these risks.
Ensuring Responsible Consumer Adoption
Prof. Ou urged automakers to avoid misleading terms like “self-driving” when marketing driver-assistance systems. Instead, they should provide standardized training at purchase and implement in-vehicle safety reminders. He also proposed a driving score system to penalize misuse and suggested adding intelligent driving education to driver’s license tests.
The Road Ahead: AI and Battery Breakthroughs
In the next 3-5 years, Prof. Ou predicts AI-driven advancements will shift intelligent driving from rule-based to data-driven systems, with large language models enabling more adaptive vehicle behavior. On the hardware side, semi-solid-state batteries are poised for near-term commercialization, while full-solid-state variants remain years away from mass adoption.
As a leading NEV researcher, Prof. Ou highlighted China’s strong competitive edge in the field while warning against hype. “Technology is a double-edged sword,” he concluded. “Clear boundaries and realistic expectations are essential for sustainable progress.”