Autonomous Emergency Braking
So, what is Autonomous Emergency Braking or AEB for short? Well, AEB is a new technology which could be the most important safety feature since the introduction of the common seat belt!
AEB is being fitted to more and more new cars some of which you can already see on the road today like the Volvo V40. AEB works by using a combination of clever technology like laser, radar and camera sensors to detect an imminent collision with an obstacle ahead. The new system is able to automatically apply a car’s brakes if the driver fails to respond to the danger in the car’s path. In the best car scenario some systems are able to bring the car to a complete halt, rather like an emergency stop and avoiding the collision altogether. In others it can at least reduce the severity of the impact.
The system includes an automatic cut of if the driver intervenes at all and that can just be the tiniest movement in the steering wheel which will then restore full control back to the driver. This then allows the driver to steer around the situation which may be the safer option.
There are currently three types of Autonomous Emergency Braking. Some work only at lower speeds typically under 25mph and when you consider that three quarters of collisions happen under 20mph it really makes sense in city driving and stop start traffic. Other systems operate at higher speeds typically between 18-50mph. Some cars offer pedestrian aide which uses a camera to distinguish between people and cyclists about to cross into the path of the car and inanimate objects such a roadside bollards which don’t post any threat.
The reason this technology matters so much is because it has the potential to save thousands of lives as well as thousands of pounds in costs every time someone has an accident. Experts believe that AEB could wipe out 2 billion pounds worth of whiplash claims every year. In fact, car insurers are already rewarding customers with lower premiums for cars that are fitted with AEB.
Manufacturers are taking AEB so seriously that some cars such as the Volkswagen Golf are now fitted with the system as standard. This means that most new Golf’s have seen their insurance group drop two levels on account of their improved safety. Volvo, well known for their focus on safety, have gone on to fit AEB on all their new models as standard.
It would seem crazy to buy a car without seatbelts and soon enough we will be thinking the same way about AEB.
