Automatic Emergency Braking Archives

Top performers in Euro NCAP’s evaluation of assisted driving technology

When Euro NCAP was established in 1997 as an independent organisation to conduct safety performance assessments on vehicles sold in Europe, the testing was largely on passive safety. Crash tests were highlighted as they showed how good (or bad) a car was when it collided with an obstacle or was rammed from the side. The levels of protection for the occupants within the car were also assessed, including child restraint systems.

As time went by and more advanced safety systems became common, Euro NCAP began adding them to its assessments. For example, in 2011, it began to include Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in ratings and since 2014,Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) has also been assessed.

By giving ratings to numerous areas, Euro NCAP has provided a basis of comparison for car-buyers to make more informed decisions. At the same time, because more ‘stars’ suggested a safer car, the manufacturers also aimed to achieve the maximum 5-star rating by ensuring that their new models met the tough test requirements. In this way, Euro NCAP has been continuously pushing the industry to upgrade safety features and systems, benefitting motorists with safer cars.

As Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) become more commonly included in new models, the organisation has added Assisted Driving systems to its list. These systems are, however, assessed outside the regular overall rating system. The findings are intended for the information of buyers, giving them a better idea of the effectiveness of the systems advertised.

The tests consist of a series of critical highway driving scenarios, such as typical cut-in and cut-out scenarios, designed to show how effectively the system is able to support the driver in avoiding a possible crash. It also evaluates how driver and system cooperate and how the system ensure that the driver remains engaged in the driving task, avoiding over-trust. Finally, the vehicle’s ability to mitigate the consequences of a crash, referred to as safety backup, is tested, in case an accident is unavoidable.

“We have been publishing Assisted Driving gradings for a couple of years now and we are seeing real improvements in system performance. Most manufacturers realise that it is important that drivers enjoy the benefits of assisted driving without believing that they can hand over control completely to the car, and that’s one of the aspects that our assessment considers,” said the Secretary-General of Euro NCAP, Michiel van Ratingen.

The most recent models tested have been the Jaguar I-PACE, Polestar 2, Volkswagen ID.5 and Nissan Qashqai. While the Jaguar (oldest car in the group) had its system is rated as ‘Entry level’, the new Qashqai stood out in this round of tests. With almost perfectly matched scores for Driver Engagement and Vehicle Assistance, the car’s ProPILOT with Navi Link system demonstrated excellent balance between helping the driver and preventing over-reliance. In the area of Safety Backup, the SUV was said to really excel, with an almost-perfect 93%.

The assistance technologies in the Volkswagen ID.5, one of the carmaker’s range of BEVs (batter electric vehicles), received a “Very Good” rating, and reached 4 out of 4 possible points – the highest possible score. The testers were impressed by the innovative systems of the ID.5 highlighting maximum comfort and an excellent level of assistance.

In the ID.5, Volkswagen uses innovative, fully connected assistance systems, the optional ‘Travel Assist with swarm data’ being the best example. Within the limits of the system, it can actively keep the vehicle in lane and maintain both the distance to the vehicle in front and the maximum speed set by the driver.

Among other things, the system uses the Adaptive Lane Guidance function which actively keeps the vehicle in the middle of the lane. However, ‘Travel Assist with swarm data’ is able to adapt to the driving style and can also keep the vehicle on the right-or left-hand side of the lane.

Euro NCAP starts to assess Highway Assist systems

New Honda Civic gets top safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (w/VIDEO)

Honda sets high standards of safety for all its models, and any new model that arrives in the market can usually score maximum or almost maximum points in assessments by various organisations. The latest generation of the Honda Civic is no exception and what’s more impressive is that it is the first Honda model to be assessed under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol.

Under the new protocols formulated by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP), the Civic was rated the full 5 stars with an overall score of 83.47 points. For each category of assessment, the following: 36.59 points out of 40.00 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 18.32 points out of 20.00 for Child Occupant Protection (COP) category, 18.16 points out of 20.00 for Safety Assist Technologies (SAT), and 10.39 points for Motorcyclist Safety (MS) category.

Specifically, for the ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 assessment protocol, Honda has taken a step upwards by equipping the Civic with a new AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) technology for Motorcycles as standard fitment in all its variants. This new technology is able to detect the presence of motorcycle that is located in front of the car and perform automatic emergency braking in the event the driver is unaware of the motorcyclist.

With the larger number of motorcycles on roads in ASEAN and a high rate of accidents involving motorcyclists, Honda has improved its detection system to recognise motorcycles and perform automatic emergency braking if necessary.

Commending Honda for developing the AEB for Motorcycles, MIROS Director-General who is also ASEAN NCAP Secretary-General and Acting Chairman, Hon. Assistant Commissioner (CD) Adjunct Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said: “This is a significant milestone for vehicle safety as we are targeting to reduce the number of fatalities involving motorcyclists. As such, we are proud that vehicle manufacturers are devoting their energy in the next level of vehicle safety. With the launch of the Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, we hope this will be a catalyst for more vehicle manufacturers to follow this footstep to ensure we meet the desired target.”

“Despite the pandemic situation, car manufacturers have strived to ensure the new vehicles that they are producing meet the needed safety requirements under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol. I am pleased that another of Honda’s models has achieved another 5-Star rating, despite the stringent requirement the new protocol has set,” he said when commenting on the results.

He added: “The current COVID-19 pandemic situation has pushed us to be more innovative in our work, and ASEAN NCAP is no exception. We had to fully utilize whatever communication applications currently are available. Due to travelling restrictions, ASEAN NCAP performed an assessment on the new Honda Civic via video conference call.”

*11th generation Honda Civic is on sale in Thailand and progressively being introduced in other ASEAN markets.*

Even with the previous generation, the Civic already had a very high standard of active and passive safety, including the integrated Honda SENSING system. Its AEB systems cover City, Inter-Urban, Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Motorcycle situations, complementing ), Child Presence Detection (CPD) and Pedestrian Protection technology. The model comes with 6 or 4 airbags, depending on the market. There is also a Seatbelt Reminder System for front and rear occupants, and Blind Spot Visualization (BSV) on the passenger side.

The new Civic, which is the 11^th generation of the model, has been launched in Thailand and is progressively being launched in other regional markets. It is likely to be launched in Malaysia in 2022 although Honda Malaysia might start giving the public a preview before the end of this year.

11th generation Honda Civic debuts in Thailand

Latest Perodua Myvi gets upgraded A.S.A. 2.0 safety system

Perodua has installed the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) system on more variants of the Myvi (except the Myvi 1.3X). The suite of driver assist safety systems was first introduced on the current Myvi in 2017, with an improved version – ASA 2.0 – introduced with the Aruz SUV last year. The latest Myvi gets the upgraded 2.0 version which can also be found on the Axia and Bezza.

With the initial ASA system, the Pre-Collision Warning and Pre-Collision Braking (Automatic Emergency Braking or AEB) were active up to 30 km/h). The system also included Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control, all working together to reduce collisions.

ASA 2.0 has a higher active speed of 100 km/h for the Pre-Collision Warning and 80 km/h for Pre-Collision Braking. Additionally, where the earlier system detected only vehicles ahead, the second generation can also detect pedestrians (up to 50 km/h). Such features used to be available only on much more expensive cars.

“The latest Myvi carries on the Perodua tradition of bringing advanced safety technology to the people by making it affordable and accessible to all. With the inclusion of ASA 2.0, the Perodua Myvi takes advanced safety to a whole new level at this price point, and it’s now more widely available within the line-up,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad. “

Besides the upgraded safety system, the Myvi also gets a new body colour – Electric Blue, which is available for all variants. The other available colours are Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Lava Red and Granite Grey (all variants except the 1.3G).

2020 Perodua Myvi — *The interior layout can be configured in various ways. These are just two of them (above and below).*

The latest prices, with sales tax exempted, range from RM52,697 to RM41,292 (Peninsular Malaysia). Every new Myvi is covered by a factory warranty that is 5 years long (or a maximum of 150,000 kms) after original registration.

To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.perodua.com.my.

New Perodua Prices without Sales Tax

ASEAN NCAP testing to include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems

The New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) assessment protocol for 2021-2025, introduced in Indonesia last year, has four pillars of assessment. These are Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), Safety Assist (SA) and Motorcyclist Safety (MS).

Under the SA domain, ASEAN NCAP will be assessing the effectiveness of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems installed in vehicles. This new development mirrors the progression in assessment procedures and aspects that older organizations such as Euro NCAP.

What is AEB?
AEB is a braking system that is applied automatically by the vehicle in response to the detection of a likely collision in order to reduce the vehicle speed and potentially avoid such collision, or reduce the effects of the impact. Detection is by camera and radar and over the years, the ability to recognise different forms has improved, increasing its effectiveness.

Volvo S80 AEB 2007 Volvo S60 2011 — *The S80 was the first Volvo model to have AEB in 2007 and it was demonstrated using this procedure (above). In 2011, the S60 was the first model sold in Malaysia with AEB (below).*

Available in Malaysia since 2011
The system began appearing in models from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volvo in the early 2000s and thereafter began to spread throughout the industry. Initially, due to the cost of AEB, it was offered on high-end models but eventually, as costs came down, lower-priced models like the Ford Focus began to have it. Today, even cars like the Perodua Myvi have AEB. The first car with AEB in Malaysia was the Volvo S60 launched in 2011.

ASEAN NCAP will be assessing two types of AEB systems under the upcoming protocol – AEB City and AEB Inter-Urban. With the new protocol set to commence this coming January 2021, ASEAN NCAP is preparing to strengthen its capacity and capability in the area of testing the effectiveness of AEB systems. This is a significant milestone in ASEAN NCAP assessment as currently (under the 2017-2020 protocol), the assessed vehicle only receives points based on the availability of the system inside the vehicle.

How AEB works: Cameras and radar scan the road ahead and if a vehicle is detected, the system will warn the driver. If the driver does not act in time by braking or slowing down, the brakes will be activated automatically.

The assessments will cover the following:

Effectiveness of AEB City system in a car-to-car rear stationary scenario by driving the vehicle forward at a speed of 10 – 60 km/h towards another stationary vehicle.
Effectiveness of AEB Inter-Urban system in a car-to-car rear moving scenario by driving the vehicle forward at a speed of 30 – 60 km/h towards another vehicle that is travelling at constant speed.

Development testing
Recently, the organization conducted AEB development testing over two days at Bandar Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur where there is a discussed runway as it was formerly an airbase for the TUDM. This follows the first development test held in 2018 in which ASEAN NCAP tested the effectiveness of blind spot technology fitted in vehicles in order to detect the presence of motorcyclists riding at the blind spot zone of a moving vehicle.

AEB — *Cameras at the top of the windscreen scan the road ahead to detect other vehicles.*

“I am proud that ASEAN NCAP with the support from MIROS has successfully organized this development test in our effort to enhance our capacity and capability in AEB testing. This is part of our preparation to conduct such assessment for the new 2021-2025 protocol,” said Adjunct Prof. Ir. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim, the new Director-General of MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research). He is also Secretary-General and Acting Chairman of ASEAN NCAP.

“As other technologies such as AEB becomes more mature, it is timely that we perform the actual physical assessment of the system and elevate our current assessment from just rewarding points on its availability in the vehicle,” he added.

“As the new MIROS D-G, I would like to thank the manufacturers who are involved in providing their vehicles for this development test. We are grateful for their support and willingness to participate in this test to ensure that the systems equipped in their vehicles are at the best performance. Their commitment in safety is commendable and we hope other manufacturers will follow suit in the near future. With the requirement on the effectiveness of AEB fitment under the new ASEAN NCAP protocol, we are making safety a priority, not a luxury,” Adjunct Prof. Ir. Dr. Khairil Anwar stressed.

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