The automatic brake function will apply the brakes without

any driver reaction

when a collision to the car in front is unavoidable.

Euro NCAP divides the available

AEB systems on the market into two categories:

at low speed City systems. At high-speed

Inter-Urban systems. These systems can consist of two functionalities:

an automatic brake function and a forward collision warning function.

AEB sensors are fitted to the vehicle

either behind the windscreen or at the front of the vehicle.

There are lasers for low speed for city or there are radars and cameras for the high speed

Inter-Urban systems. They are designed to work when maybe the driver isn't

and they can brake for the driver if he doesn't to avoid the crash occurring

in the first place. When we perform the AEB tests

although we have a test driver in the vehicle, the vehicle is actually being driven

by the robots.

In the test car here we have a steer robot which gives us path following;

we have an accelerator robot down here which does the speed control;

and for the Inter-Urban test where we have the brake response the forward

collision warning

we have a brake robot.

The tested cars are driven towards the rear

of a Euro NCAP vehicle target which replicates a car in front.

AEB City Systems

are assessed by Euro NCAP at a speed range of 10 to 50 km per hour

with stationary targets which replicate a car not noticed by the driver.

Due to distraction, even at lower speeds, the driver does not have sufficient time

to respond to a warning.

Inter-Urban Systems are more complex.

They use radars and sometimes cameras in sensor fusion

to constantly monitor the traffic situation

around the vehicle. If there is a potential collision,

the system will warn the driver. If the driver doesn't react

than the system can take over and automatically brake

to avoid the collision occurring.

The Inter-Urban tests use a mobile barrier towed behind a SUV.

This represents crashes on faster roads like motorways

where we see most killed and seriously injured.

Here, the driver can either react to a warning or the vehicle will

automatically brake to avoid the collision occurring.

Euro NCAP evaluates AEB Inter-Urban systems

in three different scenarios: Driving towards a stationary vehicle

at 30 to 80 km per hour. Closing in at a slower

vehicle in front at a speed range of 30 to

80 km per hour.

Following a car in front which suddenly starts braking

at 50 km per hour. The test results

Euro NCAP assesses crash avoidance systems by allocating colors pads that

help easily recognize their efficiency.

To find out on what car models

AEB technology is already offered please visit our latest

AEB fitment survey results on the website. Research indicate that 90

percent of road accidents

are caused by drivers who are distracted or inattentive. By including AEB systems

in the

overall star rating as from 2014

Euro NCAP hopes the availability of such systems

will increased and contribute in reducing the number of accidents

on European roads.