Autonomous Emergency Braking in Cars: What is It and How Does it Work?

What is Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) in Cars?

AEB full form is Autonomous Emergency Brakes, which is an intelligent system that automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not do so in a timely manner. It does not necessitate any driver interaction.

Let's say you're driving your car, and the car in front of you just stops. If you're distracted or waiting to press the brake, your car might crash into it. But if your car has AEB, it can see the danger and press the brake for you, whether you do anything or not.

The main objective of AEB in cars is to reduce road accidents. It avoids crashes with other vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or obstacles. The autonomous emergency braking system works very effectively on heavy traffic roads, city streets, and even sometimes on highways.

Today, the majority of automobile manufacturers worldwide are installing AEB in their cars, which is becoming an essential safety feature.

How Does AEB Work?

The Autonomous Emergency Braking System uses a blend of technology. Sensors, cameras, and radar located at the front end of the car help the car see and understand what is happening ahead on the road.

Here is how Autonomous Emergency Braking works:

Detection of Danger

The car monitors the road. It measures how quickly your vehicle is travelling and what lies ahead of it. It can identify that another vehicle, pedestrian, bike, or wall is nearby.

Alerting the Driver

When the automatic emergency braking senses danger, the system sends an alert to the driver. It will make a beep, give a red warning, or even slightly vibrate the steering wheel.

Automatically Applying Brakes

If the driver doesn’t press the brake quickly during an emergency, the system steps in and applies the brakes automatically. It uses sensors or cameras to detect obstacles ahead and reacts faster than a human. This quick response helps reduce the impact or avoid a collision entirely.

Avoiding the Crash

Autonomous Emergency Brakes (AEB) help slow down or stop the vehicle just in time to reduce or completely avoid the impact of a crash.

Some basic AEB systems only work during daylight and in clear weather, but advanced versions can detect vehicles, pedestrians, and even cyclists at night or in poor weather conditions, offering a higher level of safety in real-world driving scenarios.

Important Note: AEB is most effective at low to medium speeds, such as in city traffic or during sudden stops in front of you.

Types of AEB in Cars

Different cars come with different kinds of AEB systems. Here are the most common types:

1. City Autonomous Emergency Braking

The following are a few key situations where low-speed automatic braking proves especially useful:

• Works at low speeds, usually below 30 km/h.
   
• Good for crowded areas, traffic signals, and stop-and-go driving.
   
• It prevents minor accidents, like bumping into the car in front during traffic.

2. Inter-Urban Autonomous Emergency Braking

High-speed automatic braking is particularly beneficial in the following situations:

• Operates at greater speeds, such as 60 km/h or higher.
   
• Operated on the highway and expressways.
   
• Assists in slowing down before colliding with another rapidly approaching vehicle.

3. Pedestrian and Cyclist Autonomous Emergency Braking

Pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking is especially useful in these scenarios:

• The automatic emergency braking system is intended to recognise pedestrians or cyclists.
   
• If a pedestrian crosses the road unexpectedly, the vehicle brakes in order not to hit the pedestrian.
   
• Extremely practical in urban areas and around schools or markets.

4. Reverse Autonomous Emergency Braking

Reverse automatic braking is helpful in the following situations:

• Works while the car is in reverse.
   
• Applies brakes to stop the car if something is behind it, like a wall, pole, animal, or little kid.

5. Junction Autonomous Emergency Braking

Intersection assist with automatic emergency braking offers added safety in these scenarios:

• Aids while turning at intersections or crossroads.
   
• Discerns incoming traffic or pedestrians while turning.
   
• Most high-end cars these days have a combination of these forms in a full AEB system.

Why AEB is Important in Cars

Automatic emergency braking is important as it saves lives. It also makes driving convenient and easy. Here are some basic reasons why AEB is so important:

• Reduces Human Error: Crashes frequently happen as drivers are confused, tired, or take a while to react. AEB can help at those moments.
   
• Saves Time and Money: Minor crashes can cost a lot of money to repair. Autonomous emergency braking can avoid these happenings, and you save money.
   
• Protects Everyone: The autonomous emergency braking system saves the driver, passengers, road users, and other vehicles.
   
• Good for New Drivers: New drivers respond slowly. The emergency braking system offers extra help to new or nervous drivers.
   
• Can Help in Insurance: Some insurance companies provide discounts if your car is equipped with AEB, as the emergency brake system minimises the chances of accidents.
   
• Builds Trust in Technology: As people get used to AEB, they also feel comfortable with other smart features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and parking assist.

Pros and Cons of AEB

Just like all other technologies, the automatic emergency braking system also possesses some advantages and very few disadvantages.

Pros of Autonomous Emergency Braking:

Here are the key advantages of having an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system in your car:

• Can stop the vehicle completely and avoid collisions.
   
• React quicker than humans whenever an emergency happens.
   
• It can prove helpful in traffic as well as on highways.
   
• Prevents driver, passenger, and pedestrian injuries.
   
• Can move forward and in reverse.
   
• Enhances the safety rating of the vehicle.

Cons of Autonomous Emergency Braking:

Despite its benefits, automatic emergency braking (AEB) comes with a few limitations you should be aware of:

• It may give false alarms under some conditions (e.g., when approaching parked vehicles).
   
• Autonomous emergency braking systems are not effective in extreme weather conditions (fog, rain, snow).
   
• Sensors or radars are expensive to replace when damaged.
   
• Not yet fitted in all cars, especially cost-saving models.
   
• Some drivers may over-rely on the system and become distracted.

However, autonomous emergency braking has many more advantages than drawbacks.

Top Cars with AEB in India

The following are some cars sold in India with AEB featured in their safety or ADAS package:

In the next few years, the majority of Indian cars, especially those priced below Rs. 15 lakhs, may come equipped with autonomous emergency braking as a standard feature.

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