As automatic emergency braking (AEB) technology becomes more prevalent, new research from AAA reveals that older AEB systems may leave gaps in accident prevention, especially at higher speeds and for pedestrians at night.
The report, Out with the Old (Automatic Emergency Braking), In with the New, highlighted the potential life-saving impact of improved AEB systems, while cautioning that older models still need further updates.
Automatic emergency braking, a feature available on nearly all new vehicles, has become a cornerstone of driver-assist technology, designed to prevent rear-end collisions and other accidents by automatically applying brakes in imminent crash situations. However, the AAA study found that older versions of AEB systems may not be as reliable, particularly at higher speeds and in low-light conditions.
AAA tested AEB systems across multiple vehicles, comparing older and more advanced versions to measure their effectiveness in preventing rear-end crashes and avoiding collisions with pedestrians in various scenarios. Findings revealed a considerable improvement in newer AEB systems, which have been engineered to detect and respond to pedestrians at night — a leading factor in pedestrian fatalities.
The testing indicated that older systems, while effective in daytime and low-speed scenarios, often fail to prevent collisions in the more challenging conditions where accidents frequently occur.
“Since we began testing AEB in 2014, the advancements by automakers are commendable and promising in improving driver safety,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering research. “There is still significant work ahead to ensure the systems work at higher speeds.”
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