Chinese regulators have launched a new wave of restrictions against controversial automotive technologies. This time, the so-called "zero-gravity seats" – highly reclining seats that turn a car's interior almost into a lounge area – have come under fire. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology considers such seats potentially dangerous in accidents. The main problem is the passenger's position. If a person is almost horizontal, seat belts and airbags may not work correctly, and the body risks "slipping" under the belt during an impact.
These lounge seats have become one of the main trends in Chinese EVs in recent years. Manufacturers are actively transforming cars into "relaxation spaces": with massage, reclining seats, giant screens, and ambient lighting. Such solutions are especially popular with brands like Nio, Li Auto, and Xiaomi.
But now, authorities are clearly beginning to believe that the industry has gone too far. This is not the first such measure. Previously, China effectively banned hidden door handles and began demanding the return of physical buttons for important car functions.
Chinese regulations are increasingly influencing global car design. Due to the enormous size of the local market, many manufacturers prefer not to produce different versions of cars for different countries, but to immediately adapt global models to Chinese requirements.
Not long ago, the industry competed in the number of screens, unusual steering wheels, and "space-age" interiors. Now, regulators are beginning to prioritize classic safety and ergonomics again. And there is a paradox in this: China itself helped create many trends in modern EV design, and now it is the first to begin restricting them.