If we examine the ethical issues of the man-machine interaction inherent in the development of contemporary automated vehicle technology from the philosophical framework of Daoism, it can be found that Daoism’s vigilance on “mechanical affairs” (ji shi,机事) and “mechanical mind” (ji xin, 机心) is reasonable, that is, to avoid the polarized opposite between Machine and human, and to seek a harmonious relationship between various technical elements involved in the application of machinery, so as to truly realize “governing technology by Dao” (yi dao yu shu, 以道驭术). If users completely lose control over automated vehicles, it could not only heighten safety risks but also lead to an alienation of the way of human existence. To realize the principle of “governing technology by Dao” in the development of automated vehicles, it is essential to allow space for the advancement of alternative modes of transportation alongside the development of automated vehicles, and other transportation methods should not be abruptly discontinued in the pursuit of automated vehicle development.