New motor vehicles are getting progressively better at not only protecting occupants, and others, but also helping you to not ding or damage your prized set of wheels. Because of this, carparks and driveways have the potential to be safer to navigate thanks to advanced autonomous features, in conjunction with multiple sensors, cameras and 3D viewing technology.

The Autonomous Braking System

Autonomous Emergency Braking, or AEB, is a great technological advancement in modern vehicles. AEB uses a suite of sensors and cameras to detect pending impact and apply the brakes in a safe manner to stop the vehicle if the driver is not able to. High Speed AEB is the first and most common system adopted, with advancements over the last few years to allow low speed operation and increased scope of detection.

Here are a few advancements on available technologies that you might want to look for in your next vehicle.

AEB Low Speed Front

Low-speed or city AEB, which works from walking pace up to speeds of around 30km/h, generally use a camera to keep an eye on the road ahead. Pedestrian systems can detect more detailed objects like people and cyclists while travelling at low to moderate speeds.

In 2018 ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) started the testing of AEB with pedestrians and cyclist dummies, including how the system operates during the day and night. In 2020 the testing was extended to include AEB Junction (how a car detects a pedestrian or cyclist during a 90-degree turn) and AEB Backover, which tests reverse auto-braking systems.

In Australia, the government has recently announced that AEB will be mandated on all newly introduced light vehicle models from March 2023, and all new models on sale in Australia from March 2025.We are yet to see if New Zealand will follow with a similar policy.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Reverse or Backover AEB

These assist safety systems alert the driver with audible and visual alerts if other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians are in danger of entering your path while reversing. It’s particularly helpful when visibility is limited, like reversing out of a driveway or parking space.

On vehicles equipped with advanced AEB systems, the same ultrasonic sensors used for parking can detect objects in the way or vehicles and pedestrians that may approach the car while reversing. If a collision appears likely, then rear AEB comes into play, autonomously applying the brakes to avoid (or mitigate) the force of impact. These systems usually only work at low speeds.

A video of these systems in operation can be found here.

Parking Aids and Assists

Parking cameras are great, especially now vehicles have high definition, wide, touch or motion sensing infotainment screens with multi camera or panoramic views. On advanced systems you can view a 3D image of your vehicle and scroll around the perimeter to check the way is clear before moving away.

Perfect Parking

Called by many names, the ultimate parking assistant is something that lets you in and out of a parking spot whilst doing the steering for you.

Here’s how a typical system works once activated

Ultrasonic sensors, located on the sides and on the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle, ‘search’ for parking spaces on either side of the road that are big enough to parallel park your vehicle.

Sensors search within 1.5 metres when you travel at speeds of up to 30kmh.

The sensors are always passively scanning spaces, so if you activate the system after you’ve just passed a good parking spot, it will let you know.

When the right-size space is found, you’ll hear an alert and instructions will appear on your display screen telling you where to position the vehicle to begin the park.

During the active parking system operation, a combination of your vehicle’s EPAS (electric power-assisted steering) and sensors are used to autonomously steer the vehicle safely and perfectly into place at speeds of up to 10kmh. This allows the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel and just control the forward and reverse gears, accelerator and brake as instructed.

It important to note that these systems are designed to assist and not take the place of the driver. The driver must maintain control of the vehicle and be ready to act at any time.