### The Growth of Automatic Emergency Braking: A Positive for Safety, Yet Hurdles Lie Ahead
In a landscape often characterized by distressing news, there emerges a silver lining for road safety: the technology behind Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is swiftly advancing, with regulators advocating for its broader implementation. Nevertheless, despite the evident advantages of AEB, the automotive sector is confronted with notable obstacles in fulfilling the newly established regulatory requirements.
#### Defining Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is a safety mechanism intended to avert or lessen the severity of accidents. By utilizing sensors such as cameras, radar, and lidar, AEB systems detect potential collisions and either alert the driver or engage the brakes automatically if the driver fails to respond promptly. This technology has markedly contributed to lowering the incidence of rear-end collisions and various other accidents.
AEB systems have already demonstrated impressive success. As per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the voluntary implementation of AEB by U.S. automakers is projected to avert 42,000 accidents and 20,000 injuries by 2025. This technology is now a standard feature in numerous new vehicles, with continuous enhancements in its effectiveness.
#### AEB is Advancing
A recent analysis from AAA underscores the progress made in AEB systems. Researchers evaluated vehicles from model years 2017 and 2018 alongside newer models from 2024 and discovered that the latter were twice as effective in preventing collisions at speeds up to 35 mph. Notably, the newer systems successfully avoided all tested collisions at speeds ranging from 12 to 35 mph, and most collisions at 45 mph were also evaded.
Although these advancements are promising, regulators are advocating for even more sophisticated functionalities. Earlier this year, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) introduced new regulations mandating that AEB systems function at higher speeds and identify pedestrians both during daylight and nighttime conditions. By 2029, all new vehicles will be required to possess AEB systems capable of preventing collisions at speeds of up to 62 mph with other vehicles and up to 45 mph with pedestrians.
#### The Advantages of Enhanced AEB
The prospective advantages of these upcoming regulations are considerable. According to NHTSA, should automakers adopt more advanced AEB systems, it could save a minimum of 360 lives each year and prevent 24,000 injuries. The capacity to avert collisions at highway speeds would have particular significance, as high-speed accidents frequently lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
#### The Challenges Ahead
Despite the evident advantages, the automotive industry is expressing concerns regarding the practicality of adhering to the 2029 timeline. John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, has deemed the new mandates “virtually unattainable” with existing technology. The government anticipates that upgrading AEB systems to comply with the new criteria could increase each vehicle’s price by approximately $350. Conversely, the industry’s lobbying group contends that the actual expense could soar to $4,200 per vehicle.
A primary challenge lies in the necessity for more advanced sensors and hardware. While many new vehicles already feature cameras and radar, the heightened speed requirements may require the integration of more costly lidar sensors, which can detect objects from greater distances. Furthermore, brake systems will need enhancements to allow for faster stops at elevated speeds, potentially necessitating substantial modifications to the hydraulic systems governing the brakes.
#### Minimizing False Positives
Another challenge involves ensuring that the more sophisticated AEB systems do not produce false positives, commonly referred to as “phantom braking.” This phenomenon occurs when the system mistakenly identifies a non-threatening situation as a danger and activates the brakes unnecessarily. At elevated speeds, false positives can lead to hazardous scenarios, such as rear-end collisions or causing drivers whiplash. Automakers must calibrate their algorithms meticulously to achieve a balance between preventing actual accidents and avoiding unnecessary braking.
#### The Path Forward for Automakers
To align with the new regulations, automakers must commit to hardware and software enhancements. Bhavana Chakraborty, an engineering director at Bosch, an automotive supplier, remarks that some vehicles may require purely software updates, while others might necessitate entirely new sensor packages. The intricacy of these upgrades will depend on the vehicle’s pre-existing technology.
In tandem with hardware, automakers will need to refine their algorithms. Each manufacturer employs its unique proprietary system to decide when and how the AEB system should act. As the technology evolves, these algorithms will need to encompass a broader array of scenarios, including higher speeds and more intricate environments.
#### What’s Lacking?
While the new regulations mark a significant advancement, they do not tackle every road safety issue. For instance, the provisions do not mandate AEB systems to recognize cyclists, though some manufacturers are voluntarily integrating this capability. Additionally, unlike
