Chinese Internet search giant Baidu Inc. tested a self-driving vehicle in Beijing on July 5. Company chairman and CEO Robin Li sat in the passenger seat as the event was streamed live. Some netizens, however, said that the car was probably using the roads illegally. City traffic authorities said they have launched an investigation into the incident.

Technological developments mean that self-driving vehicles will likely soon revolutionize driving as we know it and usher in a new era in personal transportation. Large auto manufacturers and Internet companies are frantically engaged in research and development (R&D), and some have announced that their new cars will take to the roads in 2018.

In addition to Baidu, Google, Uber and Chinese automaker Changan all have road test plans aimed at developing the technology so that it can cope safely with the complexity of real-world traffic conditions. Under current law, however, driverless cars are prohibited from using the roads, which is an obstacle to R&D.

Since driverless technology is presently beyond the bounds of the law, the lack of related regulations and laws is a common problem worldwide. China is at the forefront of global R&D of driverless technology and new energy vehicles. Now is the time to make breakthroughs in the whole industry; to take or miss the opportunity.