Tesla upgrades AEB system to prevent vehicles from hitting pedestrians/cyclists

(Image source: Tesla official website)

According to foreign media reports, as early as 2017, Tesla equipped all models equipped with its Autopilot technology with an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system, and models that did not purchase the Autopilot cruise assist upgrade package were also equipped with the system. However, this function is only available when the vehicle's maximum speed is within 144.8 kilometers per hour. Now, the automaker has launched some more advanced features on its next-generation AEB upgraded system.

Such advanced features include the ability to automatically apply the brakes when the Autopilot system detects pedestrians and cyclists crossing the vehicle’s path, which Tesla said prevents vehicles from hitting pedestrians or cyclists in real-life scenarios, according to the company’s official Twitter account.

Still, Tesla isn't the only company offering active collision avoidance systems, with many traditional automakers also racing to roll out such systems.

According to a 2019 report from the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 20 automakers have pledged to make AEB standard on their models in the next few years. In 2018, 30% of the cars produced by these automakers had AEB standard. Now, IIHS estimates that number will reach 50%.

According to sales data from the past two years, Toyota has an average of 90% of its models equipped with AEB as standard, which stands out from many automakers. Nissan has 78% of its models equipped with AEB as standard, while Honda has 61% of its models equipped with AEB as standard. In contrast, Ford, Mitsubishi and Porsche only have about 10% of their models equipped with AEB.

IIHS believes that by 2025, as the automotive industry increasingly adopts AEB systems, it will be able to prevent 28,000 collisions and 12,000 injuries from such accidents.

In addition to announcing new features of the AEB system, Tesla also demonstrated its Emergency Lane Departure Avoidance system, which can correct steering to avoid possible traffic accidents. When the system detects that the driver is about to deviate to another lane and there is a vehicle in front of the other lane, the system can correct the steering; in addition, the system can automatically navigate the vehicle back to the original lane to prevent the vehicle from deviating and falling off the cliff.