Why Is the Autonomous Emergency Braking System Important? - Everything You Need to Know

Over the years, various sectors have made massive progress in safety. The automobile industry is no exception to this improvement. With several advanced safety features in cars, users now have fewer worries about their safety and risks of accidents, unlike in the past decades. The advanced safety features in cars also enhance ride quality and use to their maximum potential. 

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) System is one of the various advanced safety features installed in cars. It is sometimes called the automatic emergency braking system and is one of your car's most critical safety features. Nonetheless, many car users need to be more informed of the functions of the AEB system and how it works. This article will expose you to the AEB system, its importance, and working principles to help improve your ride quality. Read ahead! 

What Is Autonomous Emergency Braking? 

Autonomous Emergency Braking is an active safety feature that automatically applies the car's brakes during emergencies. Auto manufacturers use different terms for AEB, such as emergency brake assist, automatic emergency braking, brake support, driving assistance, etc. Regardless of the feature's name, it performs the same function. AEB is the most critical development in car safety after the seat belt. It is a safety feature that could save about 1,100 lives over the next few years. 

AEB is an automatic braking system that monitors the road ahead, detects obstacles like vehicles and pedestrians, and automatically applies the brakes. You can see it as an additional pair of eyes on the road and an additional foot over the brake pedal that helps you when you are distracted. Additionally, it can help increase the braking force if you are applying the brakes insufficiently. 

Autonomous braking is vital in cars as it can help avoid collisions by either slowing the car or stopping it altogether, depending on the traveling speed. This feature is as opposed to seat belts and airbags, which mostly protect the driver passively after a collision.

Types of Autonomous Emergency Braking in Cars

When buying a new or used car, it is essential to know which type of AEB system the vehicle has so you will know what to expect while driving. Since its inception, auto manufacturers have offered various AEB systems with different capabilities. Below are some of them;

-Forward automatic emergency braking

-Reverse automatic emergency braking

-Low-speed automatic emergency braking 

-High-speed automatic emergency braking 

-Pedestrian and cyclist detection

Forward Automatic Emergency Braking 

In this system, the AEB works together with the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system. The FCW informs the driver about the obstacle ahead by a visible sign on the dashboard or a sound. But if the driver does not take appropriate action, the automatic braking system kicks in.  

Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking 

Reverse automatic emergency braking is a system where AEB activates if it detects any obstacle when reversing the car. This system is more for convenience than safety. In most vehicles, the rear AEB works together with the rear cross-traffic alert. And this determines vehicle movement behind your car when reversing. Reverse automatic emergency braking can be helpful when reversing from a tight parking spot. 

Low-speed Automatic Emergency Braking 

This AEB system only works effectively at low speeds. They help to prevent collisions in heavy traffic, cities, and parking lots. For example, when driving on the road with heavy traffic, the AEB system can help you prevent hitting a vehicle's rear if you don't apply your brakes on time. An example of a low-speed automatic emergency braking system is the Smart City Brake Support by Mazda. It can halt a car traveling at speeds under 18 mph to avoid a  collision. 

High-speed Automatic Emergency Braking 

This AEB system works at high speeds, especially on highways. The system uses more advanced sensors to identify far-away obstacles, unlike the simple sensors available in the low-speed automatic emergency braking system. However, the high-speed automatic braking system cannot bring the car to a complete halt. It will only slow down the car before the collision. Therefore, the driver's attention is required to completely prevent the collision, even with the activation of AEB.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection 

The pedestrian and cyclist detection system is similar to the forward automatic braking system. It  is paired with the FCW system and can detect cyclists, pedestrians, and even large animals. When the FCW identifies a pedestrian before your car, the AEB applies the brake to slow the car or stop it if the driver does not apply the brakes. 

How the AEB System Works 

The AEB system works with the aid of a bunch of radar sensors placed on the bumpers, front guile, or windshield. Some systems rely on cameras, while the more advanced systems rely on cameras and radar sensors. This was initially used by the Adaptive Cruise Control feature. However, AEB now relies on the same components for efficiency. 

The following points explain the working principles of the automatic emergency braking system:

-The camera and radar sensors consistently observe the distance between the obstacle (pedestrian, moving car, etc.) and your car. 

-If the distance decreases sharply- the moving car in front brakes suddenly- the AEB system triggers a warning immediately. 

-The driver receives the warning via an audio or visual medium on the dashboard. 

-If you do not respond by applying your brakes immediately, the AEB applies the brakes instead. 

-The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can determine when you are off the throttle and manually apply the brakes. In this case, the AEB will not activate unnecessarily. 

-The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) also helps the AEB system slow/stop the vehicle efficiently. 

-Entry-level AEB systems only work at slow speeds and can be helpful while driving in the city. 

-The more advanced AEB systems work for different speed levels. For this reason, they can help avoid the intensity of high-speed collisions. 

Effectiveness of AEB Systems 

Studies have shown that AEB is one of your car's most efficient collision-avoidance features. Studies by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) show a 50 percent reduction in front-to-rear collisions for cars with automatic braking. And a 78 percent collision reduction thanks to reverse automatic braking systems. 

Conclusion

With more advanced safety features installed, modern cars are becoming safer daily. The Automatic Emergency Braking System, one of the primary safety features, offers even more comfort with its automatic braking functions. 

With a wide variety of AEB cars, you can choose the one you desire. To get started, visit us at Folsom Lake Honda to get the best used or new automatic cars.