Feds take over your Brake Pedal

[teamzr1]

Fifteen automakers have made life-saving automatic emergency braking standard on nearly all of their new passenger vehicles in the U.S. this
year, fulfilling a voluntary commitment made six years ago.

Automatic Emergency Braking will detect objects in the way and force a auto stop or slow a vehicle,
preventing a crash or making it less severe. IIHS said that the systems have to earn the institute's advanced rating, slowing a vehicle by at least 10
mph in either the 12 mph or 25 mph test, or by 5 mph in both tests.

The automakers' commitment will prevent 42,000 crashes and 20,000 injuries by 2025, according to IIHS estimates.
Institute research claim has found that vehicles with both forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking cut the number of rear crashes in
half.

General Motors, the nation's top automaker by sales, reported that 73% of its models had the technology at the end of the 2022 model year.
But a spokesman said GM would hit 98% by the end of the current model year, barring supply chain issues.

So what can go wrong ?

 

[Stingray]

I have a Mercedes with this system. It has twice slammed on the brakes in situations where there was no need for any braking. I think the system relies on the front parking sensors so kerbs on a roundabout or a car in front making a left turn can trigger the system. When activated it goes straight to max braking, so full antilock until the “hazard” is cleared. It certainly gave me a surprise.

 

[Roscobbc]

Had a BMW 2 series active tourer with that system on board......also with 'pre-warning' so firstly it would flash a red warning light and loud buzzer on the overhead display (if there was an obstruction in front) - if you didn't react it would apply the brakes initially (and gently) - tbh most of the time it kinda backed-up yoiur natural reactions. Things could confuse the system.......example driving along a single carriageway road in to a gentle bend........centre of the road crossing refuge on the bend (simple internally illuminated bollards) could 'jab' the brakes. A good reason perhaps to keep your distance from the car in from. Was tempted once or twice to drive straight at an object to see how well the system would work........but chickened-out each time!
A buddy had a similar Beemer with the autonomous braking system in his car which was badly problematic......for no reason it would slam the brakes on a road with (fortunately) no traffic.....the whole thing emergency stop thing, ABS as well. Both he and passengers would get badly shook-up and minor selt belt abrasions......

 

[Stingray]

Oooops, that wasn't right about use of the parking sensors. Googling for detail reveals there's a separate radar sensor for the system mounted behind the front grille.

"Brake Assist Plus can apply full braking on its own, serving as an “electronic crumple zone” to help reduce the intensity of a collision."

This automatic braking is also annoying when you have cruise control activated, accelerate above the set speed and then release the throttle!

So far as I can make out the same system is used if you have "active cruise control" controlling the throttle as well as the brakes.