Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is the natural partner to forward collision warnings. If a potential collision is detected and the driver does not respond in time, AEB will apply the brakes automatically to slow down or even stop the car, mitigating the impact or avoiding it altogether[29]. In practice, if FCW has screamed and the driver hasn’t hit the brakes (maybe they’re distracted or frozen), AEB steps in during those last moments. Advanced AEB systems can often completely prevent a low-speed fender-bender and dramatically reduce severity of higher-speed crashes.

AEB uses the same forward-looking sensors as FCW. The instant it calculates that a collision is imminent and the driver isn’t braking hard enough (or at all), it triggers maximum braking force. Some systems also pre-charge the brakes or increase brake assist sensitivity when a warning is issued, so that even if you brake late, you get full stopping power.

The safety benefit is huge: The combination of Forward Collision Warning + AEB has been shown to cut front-to-rear crashes by roughly half[26]. This is why AEB is becoming standard on new cars; automakers and regulators see its life-saving potential. Not only does it help with car-to-car accidents, many AEB systems today include Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking, which detects people crossing in front of the car and can brake to avoid hitting them[30]. Pedestrian AEB is vital because pedestrians are less visible and extremely vulnerable – an AEB system can react faster than a human in many cases, especially at night or in complex environments. For instance, Volvo’s latest EVs (like the EX90) have an AEB that works day or night to detect pedestrians and cyclists, potentially preventing tragedy[31].

It’s important to remember that AEB is an emergency failsafe – it’s not meant for you to rely on as a primary braking method. There are limits (bad weather can limit sensor function, or slippery roads might reduce braking effectiveness). Nevertheless, AEB is widely regarded as one of the most significant safety advances in recent years, akin to seatbelts and airbags in its potential impact on reducing collisions. Many manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to equip virtually all new cars with forward collision warning and AEB. If your car has it, it’s likely saved you from at least a scare or two without you even realizing – by shaving off critical speed in near-miss situations. It’s truly a guardian angel feature that has your back when reaction times fall short.