The IT Nerd

The system uses a near-infrared laser sensor at the top of the windscreen to detect any vehicle up to about 6m ahead of the car and in a 27° angular range. Unlike a camera based system, the advantage of using a near-infrared laser sensor is that it is highly accurate over short distances and works well even in rain and when the preceding vehicle is backlit by the sun. It’s also cheaper than using cameras which will make this sort of system accessible to more people. When the system deems that there is a high risk of an impact, it pre-charges the braking system by moving the brake pads closer to the discs so the brakes can produce stopping power more quickly if the driver presses the pedal. If the driver subsequently takes evasive action, the pre-charging is cancelled. If the driver does not take evasive action, the system automatically applies the brakes. The system can prevent or soften impacts at speeds of 30km/h and lower, and that range that accounts for at least 60% of rear-end collisions.

Here’s a video that shows the system in action:

So let’s sum it up. Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system is affordable and effective at preventing rear end collisions. The former is important because the more people who can afford to have these sorts of systems in their vehicles, the safer all users of the road will be. The latter is important because it means that you can either avoid an accident, or lessen the effects of one.

That sounds like a win – win to me.