The clever setup is able to crudely predict when a crash is likely to occur and then take steps to either avoid it altogether or make it less serious, reports the Telegraph.
AEB is generally designed to sound an audible alarm, often with a visual warning as well, when a collision risk is detected.
If no action is taken by the driver, or if the on-board computer deems the action taken to not be drastic enough, the vehicle will be forced into an emergency brake by the AEB system.
Autonomous emergency braking works by constantly scanning the road ahead and amplifying any brake pedal pressure into an emergency brake signal if it thinks that any reactions have been too slow.
Due to European legislation, all lorries are now coming equipped with AEB technology and the system is also fitted in a lot of new cars as a paid-for optional extra.
Paul
Was in VW dealer workshop, new Golf rear ended as bag blew onto the front bumper covering the sensor, brakes slammed on, probably a good idea in principle but not fool proof