Australasia's independent vehicle safety advocate, ANCAP SAFETY, has provided consumers with the ability to experience active collision avoidance technology, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), first-hand.
Members of the public were able to experience the automated braking technology in a controlled environment through a series of live drive demonstrations at The Bend Motorsport Park as part of a collaborative partnership with the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).
Consumers rode inside an AEB-equipped Hyundai Santa Fe which was driven towards a static demonstration vehicle. The outcome of the potential collision was averted through the emergency intervention of the vehicle's AEB system.
"AEB technology is becoming increasingly available in new cars, yet very few consumers have experienced it," ANCAP Chief Executive, James Goodwin said.
"It is almost impossible for consumers to see how AEB works during a routine test drive which is why we've broadened our engagement activities to educate members of the public about the availability, function, benefits and limitations of the technology."
"Allowing people to ride in the vehicle during the demonstrations is a transparent and very effective way to build their understanding of this life-saving technology," Mr Goodwin added.
Footage of the demonstrations and consumer reactions can be downloaded here.
About AEB
Many road crashes are the result of late braking and/or braking with insufficient force. A driver may brake too late for several reasons - they are distracted or inattentive; visibility is poor, for instance when driving towards a low sun; or a situation may be very difficult to predict because the driver ahead is braking unexpectedly.
In order to avoid, or minimise the impact of a crash, autonomous emergency braking systems use cameras, sensors (radar / lidar) or a combination of both to monitor the view ahead and detect obstructions in a vehicle's path. If the driver does not respond, the vehicle automatically applies the brakes.
Some current AEB systems not only have the ability to detect other vehicles, they can also detect and prevent or mitigate the effects of a crash with pedestrians (adults and children) and cyclists.