Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) technology is making notable progress in improving vehicle safety, as revealed by a recent study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA). This study arrives as the U.S. gears up for a new federal rule mandating more advanced versions of AEB in all vehicles by 2029.
AEB systems, which use sensors and forward-facing cameras to automatically apply brakes in the event of a potential crash, were tested by AAA to see how much the technology has advanced. The test compared newer vehicle models from 2024 to older models from 2017–2018 to assess improvements in AEB performance. The vehicles tested included the Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Rogue, and Subaru Outback, all evaluated at speeds of 12 mph, 25 mph, and 35 mph on a closed course.
The results demonstrated a significant improvement in newer models, with 100% of the 2024 vehicles successfully braking before a collision, compared to just 51% of the older models. This suggests that AEB technology is evolving, particularly in preventing forward collisions, an area where it has historically struggled, especially at higher speeds.
AAA’s past studies found that while AEB was effective at preventing low-speed crashes, it performed poorly at avoiding more complex collisions, such as T-bone crashes or accidents involving left turns in front of oncoming traffic. Although these issues remain, the recent findings are promising, showing that automakers are making strides toward improving driver safety.
Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering research, praised the advancements but emphasized the need for further improvements. He noted that AEB systems must continue to evolve to work efficiently at higher speeds and in more diverse crash scenarios.
The ongoing improvement of AEB is particularly timely, given that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized new regulations requiring all light-duty vehicles to include advanced AEB systems by 2029. The updated systems will need to function at higher speeds and be capable of detecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, even in low-visibility conditions like nighttime.
However, the automotive industry has expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting these new standards by the deadline. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing many major automakers, has called the requirements “practically impossible” with current technology and urged NHTSA to delay the rule’s implementation.