In Korea, Even Minor Accidents Halt Everything... "It's All Part of Learning" as Wuhan Makes Remarkable Progress [City Without Regulations, Mega Sandbox] ③

All Testing Halts After Accidents... Caution Prevails in South Korea and the United States
Support for New Technology Emerges as Cities Move Beyond Pandemic Stagnation
Citizens’ Desire for Change Becomes a Driving Force
China Protects Victims Wit

A fully autonomous robo-taxi without a driver is operating in downtown Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Photo by Jang Heejoon

A citizen is calling the robotaxi ApolloGo in downtown Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. It can be easily called through a dedicated app or messenger app WeChat. Photo by Jang Heejun

In August, an accident occurred in Chongqing, China, where a Baidu robo-taxi ApolloGo fell into a construction site ditch while driving. Although detour signs had been installed, it is believed that the vehicle failed to properly recognize them. All passengers were safely rescued and no casualties were reported. In July of last year, an accident occurred in Wuhan in which a pedestrian jaywalking was struck by a robo-taxi.

China does not halt autonomous vehicle trials even when accidents occur. This does not mean that the country is recklessly pushing forward new technologies. Rather, accidents are considered a part of the development process, and the aim is to use them to improve the technology. When an accident happens, not only the company but also relevant authorities immediately visit the scene to investigate the cause and devise improvements. Instead of tightening regulations, China seeks solutions while maintaining autonomy. In contrast, the United States suspends all test drives whenever an accident happens. South Korea, unlike both countries, has yet to establish a clear response system.

"Accidents as Learning Opportunities"... China Chooses Progress Over Stopping

A fully autonomous robo-taxi without a driver is operating in downtown Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Photo by Jang Heejoon

The Chinese government has established a victim relief system that mandates dedicated insurance coverage of up to 5 million yuan (about 1 billion won) for accidents occurring in robo-taxi pilot zones. Considering that the liability insurance limit for regular vehicles is typically 200,000 yuan (about 40 million won), this is a significant amount. Since autonomous driving involves greater risks due to system errors or remote control, the government has raised the compensation limit to 25 times the usual amount.

So far, there have been no fatalities caused by autonomous driving technology in robo-taxi-related accidents, but actual compensation cases are accumulating under the insurance system. A local tech industry official said, "The purpose is to protect victims even when responsibility is unclear due to technical failures."

South Korea also established detailed compensation standards by type of damage-death, injury, property, etc.-last year under the Autonomous Vehicle Commercialization Act. However, since autonomous driving technology is still at the pilot operation stage, its effectiveness has yet to be verified. This is because there have not yet been enough compensation or liability dispute cases resulting from real accidents.

China demonstrates progress not only in compensation but also in follow-up measures. When a robo-taxi accident occurs in China, all relevant parties-including the autonomous vehicle company and traffic police-must go to the scene. Afterwards, the government and companies hold meetings to analyze the cause of the accident. The resulting reports lead to actions such as system improvements and software updates, which are reviewed by the Ministry of Transport and other relevant ministries for inclusion in future policies. The key is that accidents are treated as data, not as defects. This is different from the United States, where all testing is "temporarily suspended" after an accident, or South Korea, where social anxiety tends to escalate before technical discussions can take place.

In a City Marked by the Scars of the Pandemic, Citizens Choose Support Over Concern

Unproven new technologies always bring both anticipation and concern. This is why citizen cooperation is crucial. In Wuhan, the welcoming attitude toward new technology is serving as a kind of urban resilience.

After enduring long periods of stagnation and silence, Wuhan’s citizens have become accustomed to embracing change rather than fearing it. As the city, once at a standstill, began to move again through technology, a consensus has formed among citizens that they must move forward toward progress. New technology is no longer seen as an experiment, but as a part of daily life.

Zhang Xinyi, a 38-year-old citizen of Wuhan, said, "I hope the robo-taxi will become a symbol of Wuhan’s revival," adding, "I am pleased to hear that the robo-taxi has become a must-try experience for tourists."

When the robo-taxi service launched, it became a trend among young people to post proof of their rides on social media, and schools and kindergartens have made it a must-visit destination for experiencing future science and technology. Li Hao, a 22-year-old university student, said, "Rather than fearing risks, there are aspects we must accept for the sake of progress," adding, "In Wuhan today, new technology has become a part of everyday life."