Real-world claims data suggest that Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems can reduce rear-end crashes by one quarter or more and lead to a significant reduction of injuries. As from January 2014, Euro NCAP will in its rating scheme give credit to vehicle manufacturers that equip their models with robust forward collision warning and/or automatic braking technology.

The organisation has evaluated eight vehicles with respect to their performance on the test track, comprising the Mercedes E-Class, Volvo V40 and XC60, Mitsubishi Outlander, Fiat 500L, VW Golf and Honda Civic and Ford Focus.

The technologies have been divided into groups based on the type of crash they are designed to mitigate. “AEB City” works at low driving speeds and targets reduction in rear end shunts often associated with whiplash neck injuries. “Inter-Urban AEB” works at higher speeds and targets fatal and serious injury crashes that may be caused by driver inattentiveness or distraction. The systems have been given either a 3, 2 or 1 rating, equating to a Good, Adequate or Marginal score.

The AEB City tests were focused on the automatic braking function up to 50km/h and were tested on six vehicles:

Mercedes Benz E-Class – PRE-SAFE Brake – Good (3 points) video

Volvo V40 – City Safety & Collision Warning with Full Auto-Brake – Good (2.9 points) video

Mitsubishi Outlander  Forward Collision Mitigation – Good (2.1 points) video

Volvo XC60 – City Safety – Adequate (1.9 points) video

Fiat 500L – City Brake Control – Adequate (1.8 points) video

Ford Focus – Active City Stop – Adequate (1.7 points) video

In addition, five vehicles were tested for their AEB Interurban systems, Euro NCAP assessing the system performance both where the driver brakes and where there is no reaction to the warning for their ability to avoid and mitigate crashes up to speeds of 80km/h:

Mercedes Benz E-Class – PRE-SAFE Brake – Good (2.7 points) video

Volvo V40 – City Safety & Collision Warning with Full Auto-Brake – Good (2.6 points) video

Volkswagen Golf VII – Front Assist – Good (2.2 points)

Mitsubishi Outlander – Forward Collision Mitigation – Adequate (1.9 points) video

Honda Civic – Collision Mitigation Brake System – Marginal (0.44 points) video

Commenting on the results, Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP secretary general, said: ‘With the limited number of systems available and tested, we can already see real differences in their performance and expected real world benefit. However we compliment the manufacturers of the systems in today's launch, whether the system scored good, adequate or marginal, for already offering this technology onto their cars and hope that our results will help them to further develop their systems.'

Click here to see Euro NCAP’s video of its tests on Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems.