We covered AEB for vehicles in Feature #6, but Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking deserves its own spot because hitting a pedestrian is one of the most devastating types of accidents – and sadly common, especially in urban areas or at night. Pedestrian AEB is a system that specifically looks for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, and often cyclists) in the vehicle’s path and can brake to avoid hitting them or lessen the impact[31]. Cameras (sometimes combined with radar) are tuned to recognize the shape and movement of people on foot.

For example, if someone suddenly jaywalks into the street or a child runs out from between parked cars, PAEB can react much faster than a human. It will flash a warning and then engage full emergency braking if needed. One of the challenges is that pedestrians can be hard to detect (small profile, unpredictable movement) and often it’s a very short window to react. But modern systems have improved greatly, especially with advances in AI vision. They work in both daylight and at night (using infrared or just very sensitive low-light cameras) – like the Volvo EX90’s system, which can perform pedestrian detection and braking even in darkness[36].

Why is this important? Because while a fender-bender between two cars at 15 mph might not injure the car occupants, hitting a pedestrian at 15 mph can be fatal. So even if PAEB doesn’t completely avoid a collision, reducing impact speed from say 25 mph to 10 mph can be the difference between life and death for the person hit. The aim is to drastically reduce pedestrian fatalities, which have been on the rise in many areas.

Many countries and safety New Car Assessment Programs (NCAP) now test pedestrian AEB specifically. Cars that can prevent or mitigate a crash with a dummy pedestrian get higher safety ratings. It’s becoming a standard part of the AEB package in new vehicles. Some systems also recognize bicyclists, who are similarly at risk and sometimes even harder to detect.

In summary, Pedestrian AEB broadens your car’s automatic emergency braking capabilities to protect the most vulnerable people on the road. It’s a feature you hope never to need, but if a distracted moment occurs or a pedestrian appears out of nowhere, this tech can quite literally be a lifesaver. As one industry phrase goes, “cars can be repaired or replaced, people cannot” – PAEB prioritizes saving lives over everything else, braking the car even if it means you might have a minor bump, because avoiding hitting a person is always the top priority. And increasingly, with these ADAS technologies, we’re seeing genuine progress toward the goal of zero traffic fatalities.

Conclusion: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are transforming driving as we know it. Features like the ones above act as an ever-vigilant co-driver – preventing collisions, keeping you in lane, watching your blind spots, and generally compensating for human errors or lapses. While none of these systems makes a car “autonomous” (the driver is still ultimately in control), they significantly enhance safety for you and those around you. The evidence is clear that ADAS is reducing crashes and injuries, making driving more forgiving. It’s important for drivers to understand what these features do (and their limits) to use them effectively. After all, the best safety feature is an informed and attentive driver teamed with a smart ADAS-equipped vehicle. With both working together, we move closer to roads with fewer accidents and safer travel for everyone.

This is the end of this article.

Mastering Your Car’s Infotainment (CarPlay, Android Auto & More)

Modern cars are as much about connectivity and infotainment as they are about engines and wheels. The center touchscreen and the apps it runs have become the vehicle’s “digital hub,” keeping us navigated, entertained, and in communication on the go. In this article, we’ll help you master your car’s infotainment system – with a focus on smartphone integration platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus other tips to get the most out of your in-car tech. Whether you’re an iPhone user plugging into CarPlay or an Android fan using Android Auto, or even dealing with a manufacturer’s native system, we’ve got you covered. Let’s turn that confusing dash interface into your new best friend on the road!

A modern car’s infotainment system (2025 Chevrolet Corvette shown) displaying smartphone integration. Large touchscreens with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto provide a familiar, app-based interface in many new vehicles[37][38].