Videos showing China’s driverless delivery vans behaving erratically on public roads have gone viral on social media, reviving questions about the readiness and safety of autonomous vehicle technology despite the country’s rapid advances in the sector.
Clips spark online backlash
The widely shared clips, circulating on Chinese platforms as well as X and Instagram, show autonomous delivery vans speeding over broken roads, veering onto highway shoulders, crashing into barriers and, in one instance, continuing to drive with a motorcycle wedged into a wheel arch.
Social media users reacted with sarcasm and concern. “Nothing stops China’s driverless vans, not concrete, not barriers, not common sense,” one user wrote, while others described the incidents as “beta testing gone wrong”.
The videos have amassed millions of views, turning what was once hailed as the future of last-mile logistics into a topic of ridicule and anxiety.
Rapid growth of autonomous deliveries
China’s autonomous delivery fleet has expanded rapidly in recent years. Logistics giants such as ZTO Express and J&T Express are deploying thousands of delivery vans equipped with Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for last-mile operations. Automakers are also pushing for approvals to move to Level 3 autonomous driving by the end of the year.
Supporters argue that automation will eventually reduce traffic congestion, improve efficiency and enhance road safety. However, the viral footage suggests that real-world conditions, including potholes, mixed traffic and unpredictable human behaviour, remain major challenges.
Authorities exercise caution
Chinese regulators have taken a more cautious stance following recent incidents involving advanced vehicles. Last year, a fatal crash involving a self-driving sedan manufactured by Xiaomi in Anhui province, which killed three university students, prompted authorities to tighten oversight and slow approvals.
That tragedy shifted public discourse from technological optimism to concerns over accountability, testing standards and safety protocols.
Promise versus reality
While companies insist autonomous technology will mature with better software, sensors and regulations, the latest videos highlight a gap between controlled testing environments and chaotic urban roads.
For now, the incidents underline that artificial intelligence still struggles with the complexity of real-world driving, reinforcing calls for stricter monitoring before autonomous vehicles become a common sight on public streets.