You probably already know what AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) is. It’s a system that’s now being fitted to some cars which automatically applies the brakes when it senses an imminent crash via its array of sensors.
Few cars get it as standard, but more and more are offering it as an option.
The system is very well suited for city driving, where speeds are generally low and the collisions that do take place are not life threatening. Some systems only work at (low) city speeds, while others remain active at up to 80 km/h / 50 mph – only a handful work at highway speeds.
It’s a relatively new idea, though, and its impact on road safety generally speaking is still negligible. However, the number of vehicles using it can only go up and it’s really just a matter of time before it will become mandatory on all cars, just like ESP.
The WhatCar? video below explains it in more detail.