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Tesla revives automatic braking in response to lower review scores
Apparently, public pressure works... to a degree. Tesla has reintroduced automatic emergency braking to the Model S and Model X through an update after their continued omission led Consumer Reports to lower its ratings for the electric cars. It's a tentative step, mind you. The feature currently only works at speeds up to 28MPH, so this won't save you if someone abruptly slows down on the highway. Higher speeds will come in stages, Tesla says. It's not clear just when you'll see the 90MPH braking that came with models released before October 2016.
Automakers agree to make auto braking a standard by 2022
By 2025, almost all new vehicles in the US will come with automatic emergency braking systems, thanks to a pact 20 automakers made with the government. The companies and the US Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety agreed to make technology a standard feature on all new cars. A lot of automakers -- including Volvo, Ford, Honda and Toyota, just to name a few -- have been incorporating auto braking into some of their vehicles for quite a while now. But this joint initiative ensures that the technology will become a common item in new cars' feature lists within a few years' time.
Ford's next cars will brake by themselves to avoid collisions
Automakers like Subaru and Volvo have had automatic anti-collision braking for a while, but what if you're a Ford fan? You won't have to wait long. The Blue Oval has revealed that it's adding its own smart braking system (Pre-Collision Assist) as an option for new cars, starting with the 2015 Mondeo sedan's launch in Europe this year. The technology is familiar, but it should be enough to prevent or mitigate collisions during the daytime. A combination of a camera and radar helps recognize upcoming cars and pedestrians; the vehicle will warn you about potential accidents, and will also brake as much as necessary if it believes you're in imminent danger. While the assistant isn't a true substitute for a keen eye and quick reflexes -- at least, not right now -- it's good to have that additional safety net.
Honda develops braking system for early pedestrian detection
Honda's hoping you haven't had your fill of self-driving autos from CES, because it's just revealed an automatic braking system that's supposedly better than similar technologies out there. According to the Japanese automaker, its system's capable of stopping cars just in time to prevent collision, even if they're going as fast as 37MPH. Honda claims that's a lot faster than what other auto-brake tech can handle, but it's worth noting that Mercedes' and Volvo's systems (though not developed specifically for pedestrian detection) work even if the cars are moving at 50MPH. We've yet to know how much the tech will cost to install, but it's expected to come baked into Honda's Legend sedan, which is set to debut in late 2014.