What does the active braking function mean?
4 Answers
Active braking function refers to a technology that allows the vehicle to actively generate braking force to decelerate when encountering sudden hazards during normal driving (without adaptive cruise control), thereby improving driving safety. Active safety systems include electronic devices such as ABS and ESP, while passive safety systems involve vehicle body energy-absorbing structures, seat belts, airbags, etc. When the vehicle ahead brakes, stops, or encounters other obstacles, the active braking function first automatically increases force in the braking system to help the driver shorten the braking distance before taking action. It can also adjust the steering wheel to change the vehicle's path and avoid obstacles.
The active braking function means the car can brake automatically for you, helping to avoid collisions when you don't notice hazards ahead. Having driven for over a decade, I've found this feature particularly useful in city traffic jams. If the car in front suddenly slows down, even if you don't react in time, the vehicle will automatically decelerate and brake. It's also effective on highways, potentially saving lives during long-distance driving when fatigue or distraction occurs. However, some drivers mistakenly believe they can use their phones carelessly with this function enabled—this is a dangerous misconception. The system relies on front radar and cameras, so its effectiveness decreases in rain or snow when visibility is poor. This feature is now standard on many vehicles and is considered one of the most valuable safety configurations in modern cars.
Automatic emergency braking is like giving the car a pair of eyes that constantly monitor the road ahead for obstacles. The system uses sensors at the front of the vehicle to scan the road. If it detects an imminent collision and the driver hasn't applied the brakes, it will automatically stop the car. I specifically chose a vehicle with this feature because I have elderly family members and children - after all, if a child suddenly runs across the road, the system reacts much faster than a human. However, experience shows it's not 100% reliable. For example, it might fail to detect small obstacles, so drivers still need to stay fully focused and can't rely entirely on electronic systems for safety.
The core of this function relies on front radar and cameras to detect the distance and speed of objects ahead. The vehicle's computer calculates whether a collision might occur. If the driver doesn't react in time, the system will activate automatic braking. In fact, it involves three stages: first an audible alert to warn the driver, then light braking to give the driver time to react, and finally full braking to stop the vehicle. The technical principle is somewhat similar to a low-speed version of adaptive cruise control, but with more emphasis on emergency avoidance. Currently, mainstream car brands mostly use a combination of millimeter-wave radar and visual fusion solutions, but sensors can easily misjudge in heavy fog or rain, so drivers should be aware of this during actual use.
