AEB systems can help drivers avoid or mitigate an accident.
The automatic brake function will apply the brakes without
any driver reaction
when a collision to the car in front is unavoidable.
Euro NCAP divides the available
AEB systems on the market into two categories:
at low speed City systems. At high-speed
Inter-Urban systems. These systems can consist of two functionalities:
an automatic brake function and a forward collision warning function.
AEB sensors are fitted to the vehicle
either behind the windscreen or at the front of the vehicle.
There are lasers for low speed for city or there are radars and cameras for the high speed
Inter-Urban systems. They are designed to work when maybe the driver isn't
and they can brake for the driver if he doesn't to avoid the crash occurring
in the first place. When we perform the AEB tests
although we have a test driver in the vehicle, the vehicle is actually being driven
by the robots.
In the test car here we have a steer robot which gives us path following;
we have an accelerator robot down here which does the speed control;
and for the Inter-Urban test where we have the brake response the forward
collision warning
we have a brake robot.
The tested cars are driven towards the rear
of a Euro NCAP vehicle target which replicates a car in front.
AEB City Systems
are assessed by Euro NCAP at a speed range of 10 to 50 km per hour
with stationary targets which replicate a car not noticed by the driver.
Due to distraction, even at lower speeds, the driver does not have sufficient time
to respond to a warning.
Inter-Urban Systems are more complex.
They use radars and sometimes cameras in sensor fusion
to constantly monitor the traffic situation
around the vehicle. If there is a potential collision,
the system will warn the driver. If the driver doesn't react
than the system can take over and automatically brake
to avoid the collision occurring.
The Inter-Urban tests use a mobile barrier towed behind a SUV.
This represents crashes on faster roads like motorways
where we see most killed and seriously injured.
Here, the driver can either react to a warning or the vehicle will
automatically brake to avoid the collision occurring.
Euro NCAP evaluates AEB Inter-Urban systems
in three different scenarios: Driving towards a stationary vehicle
at 30 to 80 km per hour. Closing in at a slower
vehicle in front at a speed range of 30 to
80 km per hour.
Following a car in front which suddenly starts braking
at 50 km per hour. The test results
Euro NCAP assesses crash avoidance systems by allocating colors pads that
help easily recognize their efficiency.
To find out on what car models
AEB technology is already offered please visit our latest
AEB fitment survey results on the website. Research indicate that 90
percent of road accidents
are caused by drivers who are distracted or inattentive. By including AEB systems
in the
overall star rating as from 2014
Euro NCAP hopes the availability of such systems
will increased and contribute in reducing the number of accidents
on European roads.