This is Volvo Trucks’ excellent emergency braking.
What is automatic emergency braking (AEB), exactly? It is a system that detects the impending collision with another vehicle or a person and assists the driver to avoid or minimize the impact. It first signals the driver to adjust his reaction to avoid the collision. If the response is slow or insufficient, the system automatically applies brakes to stop the crash.
Although it sounds great on paper, does the system actually work on the road? AEB can sometimes be annoying for drivers because it applies brakes when it’s not necessary or is simply more sensitive than it should. As the video above shows however, automatic emergency brakes can save a child’s lives.
The RoadCams Youtube channel uploaded the clip. It shows children running from a bus station to a busy country road. A Volvo semi is approached by one of the children. Thankfully, due to the Volvo’s automatic emergency system, and partly to the driver’s quick response, no one was hurt in an unexpected near-miss.
In fact, Volvo Trucks was designed to prevent collisions where vehicles drive into another vehicle. This technology uses a precise camera, radar, control unit and brake system to detect small moving objects such as this running boy. It can react quickly to save his life.
The system will alert the driver by flashing a red LED light on the windshield in the cabin when there is a crisis. This works just like modern cars. If the driver doesn’t respond, the system will flash a red LED light and sound an alarm. Finally, the emergency brake activates to stop or minimize the collision.
A few older videos are also included, which show Volvo’s system in action.