Testing Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): Greg Horn’s Experience
During a recent visit to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), I had the opportunity to test a vehicle equipped with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Although my own car also has this technology, I must admit that I’ve never tested, or experienced it engage to stop the car when I didn’t brake for myself. Understandably, my survival instincts and the natural fear of crashing my personal vehicle have kept me from testing the system. So, when I was offered the chance to test AEB in a car I didn’t own, one where any failure would only result in a collision with a soft “prop” car, I was excited.
I learned that the reason IIHS tests AEB systems is that they vary across car manufacturers in their speed ranges, hazard detection capabilities (pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles), and levels of braking assistance. As I toured the test lab, I saw a newly unboxed test bicycle made of soft materials, mounted on a remote-controlled “skateboard.” This setup helps test the system’s sensor effectiveness at various angles.
The vehicle I drove for the test was a Mustang Mach-E, an electric vehicle (EV). Like many EVs, to maintain speed, you must apply steady pressure on the accelerator since there’s little “freewheeling” when you take your foot off. I was instructed to accelerate to 30 mph and align with a prop vehicle, while maintaining my foot on the accelerator. While this seemed simple enough, it directly went against my natural instincts to avoid crashing and protect the car. I had to focus to ensure I did not brake, and most importantly, did not swerve out of the way.
As the moment of impact approached, I was surprised by how quickly and suddenly the full braking kicked in. The sensation was anything but pleasant—it was abrupt, aggressive, and uncomfortable. I found myself straining against the seatbelt as the car rapidly decelerated. However, the Mach-E stopped completely before any impact, and I have to admit the experience was both surprising, and fun!
After the test, Matt Moore, Chief Insurance Operations Officer, asked me an interesting question: Would drivers come to rely too much on AEB and stop actively braking? I thought about it for a moment and replied that I couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to experience that sudden, harsh braking over and over. It was a reminder that, while AEB is impressive and could certainly save lives, it’s not a reason to stop paying attention on the road. I left feeling impressed by the technology but also more aware of how important it is to stay focused behind the wheel.
