Core Viewpoint - The tragic incident involving a Xiaomi car has reignited the safety debate surrounding hidden door handles in electric vehicles, highlighting the critical need for safety redundancy in automotive design [1][2][3]. Group 1: Incident Overview - A Xiaomi vehicle lost control and caught fire due to the owner's drunk driving, leading to fatalities as rescuers struggled to open the doors, which were rendered inoperable due to the hidden electric door handles failing after power loss [1][2]. - Previous incidents in 2024 and 2025 involving other electric vehicles with similar hidden door handle designs have raised public awareness about the safety risks associated with these features [2][3]. Group 2: Regulatory Response - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) initiated a safety technology research project in July 2024, focusing on the risks associated with hidden door handles [2][28]. - A draft of mandatory national standards for automotive door handles was released on September 24, 2025, proposing significant restrictions on hidden door handles and suggesting a transition period until January 1, 2027 [2][27]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The ongoing accidents and the impending regulations indicate a shift in the automotive industry towards prioritizing safety over aesthetic and aerodynamic considerations [3][21]. - The new regulations require all vehicle doors to have mechanical release functions, which fundamentally challenges the current trend of fully hidden door handles [27][29]. Group 4: Design and Safety Redundancy - The design of hidden door handles has been criticized for relying heavily on electronic signals, which can fail in emergencies, leading to difficulties in opening doors during critical situations [7][8]. - Some manufacturers, like Tesla, have implemented designs that combine electronic and mechanical systems to enhance safety redundancy, while others still rely on less reliable designs [12][16]. Group 5: Future Directions - The automotive industry is beginning to reassess its design philosophies, moving away from a sole focus on technological aesthetics towards incorporating safety as a fundamental design principle [31][34]. - Companies are actively preparing to comply with the new regulations, with some already adapting their designs to meet the upcoming safety standards [30][32].