China launches remote-control car

While Chinese cars are known more for imitation than innovation, that might change with the launch yesterday of the world's first remote-control car.

Revealed in concept form at April’s Beijing motor show, the Su Rui -- a small Corolla-like sedan -- goes on sale with a handheld controller that lets you manoeuvre the car while outside it. Buttons on the controller allow you to directing the car forward, in reverse and turn it.

Before you start picturing unmanned high-speed havoc, you should know the operating distance is limited to 10 metres, and the speed to 2km/h -- although we suspect some clever young boffins are already trying to work out how to crack the limiter system.

BYD said in the statement the Remote Driving Control technology would be welcomed by people with tight parking spots – or who lack umbrellas. “It is a perfect solution when the parking space is not wide enough for the driver to exit the car once parked. In windy and rainy weather, drivers can even remotely move the car to his or her side without getting wet,” BYD said.

The Remote Driving Control technology won Best Leading Science and Technology in the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.