Renewed driver assistance concerns as VMs pressured to standardise autonomous braking

Proposals for standard-fit AEB systems comes as motorists support calls for MOT to test driver assistance systems

Renewed driver assistance concerns as VMs pressured to standardise autonomous braking
48 per cent of drivers are in favour of updating the MOT test to cover driver assistance technologies.

The European parliament’s proposal that all new cars should be fitted with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems follows calls to raise awareness about the service and maintenance of such systems.

Proposals put forward by the parliamentary transport committee will now go before the European commission to publish its own findings in March 2018 about future safety requirements for vehicles in the European Union.

“Making these proposed technologies mandatory could be as important as the introduction of the seat belt in safety terms,” said Antonio Avenoso, executive director for the European Transport Safety Council.

Calls for MOT update

The proposals come as almost half of UK drivers show support to update the MOT test to cover advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as AEB.

In a survey of 1,000 motorists, commissioned by Autoglass, 42 per cent don’t believe enough is being done to educate the public about the new technologies.

More worryingly, 61 per cent are unaware that advanced driver assistance systems rely on sensors which may need to be calibrated after work has been done on their vehicle.

Neil Atherton, of Autoglass said: “Driving technologies are evolving quickly and it is heartening that almost half of drivers that use ADAS technologies are recognising their benefits for safer driving.

“However, the lack of awareness on the need for proper maintenance is concerning, but not surprising, given how quickly many of them have been introduced to the market.”

What is autonomous emergency braking?

AEB systems use sensors to detect obstacles ahead and assess whether a collision is likely.

The unit will usually start by warning the driver that a collision is likely and that they need to brake, using dashboard warning lights or an audible alarm.

If the driver fails to take action, the ‘autonomous’ part of the system will kick in and apply the brakes automatically.

ADAS calibration

Industry experts also warn that many garages remain unaware about how these systems are already affecting the work that they carry out on a daily basis.

Speaking to GWTV earlier this year, Neil Hilton of HELLA GUTMANN SOLUTIONS said: “If you change a steering rack or two rear springs, you’d think it wouldn’t affect the vehicle’s ADAS but it does because the geometry of the vehicle has changed.

“The electronic calibration for camera and radar is set to the mechanical position of the vehicle.

“You’ve got to start thinking that anything I change affects the mechanical position of the car will also affect ADAS calibration.”

Incorrect or faulty calibration can illuminate a dashboard warning light and can result in incorrect function or complete deactivation.

Legal proposals to standardise autonomous emergency braking are expected to be made March 2018 and will be the first time mandatory safety standards for cars have been updated since 2009.

How do you feel about AEB and ADAS? Share your comments below.

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