AEB stands for Automatic Emergency Braking, a safety system designed to help prevent collisions or reduce their severity. It uses sensors (like cameras, radar, or lidar) to monitor the road ahead. If an imminent collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist is detected and the driver doesn't react in time, the system can automatically apply the brakes. It's a foundational technology for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and is becoming standard on most new cars.
The system typically operates in two stages. First, it may provide visual and audible forward collision warnings to alert the driver. If no action is taken, the AEB system then pre-charges the brakes for maximum responsiveness and, as a last resort, applies automatic braking. Some advanced systems can bring the car to a complete stop, while others are designed primarily to significantly reduce speed before impact.
Not all AEB systems are the same. The main variations include:
- City AEB: Optimized for lower speeds to prevent fender-benders in urban traffic.
- High-Speed AEB: Functions on highways to mitigate the severity of high-speed rear-end collisions.
- Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection: More sophisticated systems capable of identifying and reacting to vulnerable road users.
The effectiveness of AEB is well-documented. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and other studies, vehicles equipped with AEB see a significant reduction in rear-end collisions.
| AEB Effectiveness Data (Based on IIHS and HLDI Studies) | |
|---|
| Reduction in rear-end crashes | Up to 50% |
| Reduction in rear-end injuries | Up to 56% |
| Standard on new US vehicles | 99% by 2022 (NHTSA voluntary commitment) |
| Pedestrian AEB involvement in fatal crashes | 65% lower risk (HLDI) |
| Typical operational speed range | 5 mph to 85+ mph (varies by manufacturer) |
For any driver, AEB is a critical safety net. When shopping for a new or used car, verifying that it has a modern AEB system with pedestrian detection is one of the most important decisions you can make for your safety.
