Another narrow escape…
A cyclist appears as if out of nowhere and suddenly cycles across the road. Distracted by the search for somewhere to park, the driver is powerless to avert what appears to be an inevitable disaster. But Bosch’s new emergency braking system with cyclist detection prevents any serious consequences, automatically bringing the car to a full stop from 40km/h. Everyone makes it through the incident, shaken but unharmed.
As soon as the emergency braking system’s radar or video sensor detects an imminent collision, the Bosch iBooster initiates full braking in just 190 milliseconds – less time than it takes to blink twice.
These electronic assistants are always vigilant and, in emergencies, respond more quickly than people can. They provide support just where drivers need it – in busy city traffic. Emergency braking systems are one of the most useful assistance systems, particularly when it comes to responding to cyclists and pedestrians, the most vulnerable of road users.
In Germany, bicycles are involved in one-fourth of all accidents resulting in personal injury. According to the German Federal Statistics Office, 393 people were killed in such accidents in 2016 alone – roughly 12 percent of the country’s total road fatalities. Some two-thirds of these accidents involve a car.
Equipping every car in Germany with an emergency braking system that can detect cyclists would prevent almost half (43 percent) the bicycle/motor vehicle accidents that result in personal injury, or at least mitigate their severity.
The European New Car Assessment Program, or Euro NCAP, has also recognised the importance of emergency braking systems for road safety. Starting in 2018, the consumer protection association’s star rating system will include emergency braking with cyclist detection. Emergency braking systems with pedestrian detection have been part of the rating system since 2016.
