What is autonomous emergency braking?

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is defined as a system that constantly keeps track of the road ahead and will automatically halt the vehicle if the driver fails to take action. This technology was first introduced in 2009 to prevent car crashes or at least reduce the seriousness of the impact of an unavoidable one.

As you may have guessed by its name, AEB works autonomously, with no input from the driver. The system can also add braking force if you are pressing the brake, but weaker than a vehicle needs to avoid a collision. Every AEB system monitors vehicles and most of the time, pedestrians and other obstacles. The goal of the AEB system is to avert or lessen serious crashes by applying the brakes when sudden dangers arise or if the driver is not taking appropriate action quickly enough. 

So, how does AEB perform its tasks? Many AEB systems use a combination of radar and camera technologies that are either mounted at the front of a vehicle or installed inside the windshield. Normally, these radars and cameras monitor obstacles that may lead to a crash. If they detect such a hazardous object and the system doesn't receive any feedback from the driver, it will autonomously trigger the AEB system.

While most automakers provide AEB systems that are similar in function, each system can slightly differ in terms of their names, speed requirements, etc. In regards to Kia’s Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), our system uses a radar sensor installed at the front of the vehicle that keeps an eye on the road ahead all the time. If it recognizes a potential obstacle, the system will tell the brakes to apply themselves in an effort to lessen the severity of the collision. 

In short, AEB provides another pair of eyes that helps you monitor objects ahead and also keeps an extra set of feet on the brakes to avoid a potential crash. By detecting and automatically applying the brakes, the technology gives you the added reassurance of driving safely on a daily basis. But the most important thing to remember is that the AEB system is a type of supplemental technology and by no means replaces the need for you to keep your eyes on the road.