The Evolution of AEB Systems: Meeting New EU and US Safety Standards with Advanced Radar Technology
By Jae-Eun Lee, CEO at bitsensing and Karthik Ramesh, Marketing Director at NXP Semiconductors
The landscape of automotive safety is undergoing a revolutionary transformation, with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems at the forefront of this change. Recent regulatory developments in both the European Union and United States – under the Euro NCAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) respectively – are reshaping the requirements for these critical safety systems, pushing the boundaries of what manufacturers must deliver to ensure road safety.
The Critical Role of Sensor Technology
At the heart of modern AEB systems lies a sophisticated sensor suite, where radar technology serves as a cornerstone component. High-resolution radar systems, operating in the 76-81 GHz frequency range, provide precise detection capabilities of more than 240 meters ahead with exceptional angular resolution. This technology maintains consistent performance across all weather conditions, complementing other sensors to ensure robust safety performance.
bitsensing’s high-resolution radar technology plays a key role in advancing AEB performance. With a detection range exceeding 240 meters, 0.3m range resolution, and velocity accuracy within ±0.07 m/s, it enables vehicles to identify potential hazards earlier and respond more effectively through emergency braking. In internal AEB testing across multiple regulatory scenarios—such as vehicle-to-vehicle collisions and pedestrian avoidance—bitsensing’s radar demonstrated consistent, high-precision object detection and tracking, supporting safer and more reliable braking interventions.
When combined with advanced camera systems offering high dynamic range imaging across a minimum 120-degree field of view, these sensor systems create a comprehensive safety net around the vehicle. For front-facing AEB, the combination of radar and camera enhances detection and classification accuracy. However, for full 360-degree coverage, additional corner radars alone provide robust sensing where cameras may not be necessary for standard Level 2 ADAS use cases such as Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Turn Assist (TA). Radar’s ability to operate effectively in all weather conditions makes it a key enabler of continuous situational awareness around the vehicle.
The New EU Safety Framework
The European Union has taken a decisive step forward with its new vehicle safety regulations, which came into effect in July 20221. These regulations mark a significant milestone in road safety and the journey toward autonomous vehicles. Under these new rules, all new vehicles must be equipped with advanced safety systems, with AEB being a cornerstone technology.
The EU's comprehensive approach requires manufacturers to implement sophisticated detection systems capable of identifying not just vehicles, but also pedestrians and cyclists, also referred to as Vulnerable Road User (VRU) protection. This expanded scope reflects a growing understanding that road safety must encompass all road users, particularly the most vulnerable ones. These requirements align with Euro NCAP testing protocols, which evaluate performance in scenarios involving vulnerable road users, including night-time pedestrian detection. Additionally, AEB systems must operate effectively across a wide range of speeds and environmental conditions.
While AEB has traditionally been associated with front radar for vehicle-to-vehicle braking, the latest Euro NCAP protocols emphasizing VRU protection require AEB to be supported by sensors that can go beyond detecting “bumper-to-bumper collisions”. bitsensing’s Corner Radar ACM720 is specifically designed to address these challenges, offering a 160° wide field-of-view to track VRUs at intersections and in urban environments. By ensuring early detection and precise velocity measurement, this technology helps vehicles meet the stringent Euro NCAP and NHTSA requirements for pedestrian and cyclist safety
NHTSA's Push for Enhanced Safety
On the other side of the world, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is driving significant changes in the US market. While the NHTSA’s final rule on AEB does not prescribe specific sensor technologies or mandate sensor fusion, it sets stringent performance requirements that encourage manufacturers to adopt multi-sensor approaches. These requirements mandate that AEB systems must:
- Prevent collisions with vehicles ahead through early Vehicle Detection at speeds up to 100kph (62 mph) and automatically apply brakes at speeds up to 144kph (90 mph) when a collision is imminent.
- Detect and avoid pedestrians during both day and night conditions, effectively preventing collisions at speeds up to 72 kph (45 mph). The criticality of radar, the only sensor that can perform in all-lighting conditions, is underscored in the need for AEB that functions in night conditions. According to the Final Rule, “NHTSA proposed testing under both daylight and darkness lighting conditions, noting the importance of darkness testing of PAEB because more than three-fourths of all pedestrian fatalities occur in conditions other than daylight.”2
Industry best practices show that integrating radar and camera systems enhances detection accuracy, ensuring consistent performance across all weather and lighting conditions. High-resolution imaging radar, for instance, provides all-weather operation and extended detection range even in total darkness, while camera systems enhance object classification—making sensor fusion a key enabler of next-generation AEB systems. While timelines for full implementation may vary, the NHTSA has mandated that AEB systems become standard in all new passenger vehicles by 2029, signaling a clear trajectory toward enhanced road safety. These developments are expected to accelerate innovation and standardization in the automotive industry, driving advancements in sensor technology and system integration to meet the evolving regulatory landscape. For bitsensing’s high-resolution radar solutions, these regulatory developments present a significant opportunity. The technology is well-positioned to address enhanced safety standards, making our solutions increasingly relevant and valuable in the evolving automotive safety landscape.
Advanced Processing and Integration
The processing infrastructure supporting these systems has evolved significantly. Modern AEB platforms require real-time data processing with latency under 100ms, supported by redundant processing paths for safety-critical operations. In accordance with ISO 26262 standards, all processing units must meet ASIL-B certification or higher, incorporating advanced filtering algorithms for environmental noise reduction to ensure accurate detections in all conditions.
Leading radar SoCs, such as NXP’s SAF8xxx as well as the S32R radar processors, are designed to meet these requirements, enabling high-speed data fusion and enhanced signal processing for AEB applications. bitsensing’s Front Radar AFM720 and Corner Radar ACM720 leverage NXP’s advanced radar processing platforms to deliver best-in-class detection accuracy, object classification, and low-latency performance—ensuring compliance with evolving EU and US safety standards.
Performance Testing and Validation
The new regulatory framework demands comprehensive testing across various scenarios. Systems must demonstrate reliable performance in vehicle-to-vehicle situations, including stationary and moving targets, as well as scenarios involving vulnerable road users. Testing protocols now evaluate performance across different lighting conditions, weather situations, and complex urban environments.
Performance metrics have become more stringent, and this trend is likely to continue enhancing the safety of the ADAS systems. For instance, the NHTSA's final rule specifies that AEB systems must detect and react to imminent collisions with both lead vehicles and pedestrians, requiring automatic braking at speeds up to 144 kph (90 mph) for vehicles and 72kph (45 mph) for pedestrians. Additionally, Euro NCAP's test protocols assess AEB effectiveness in various car-to-car and VRU scenarios, emphasizing the importance of robust system performance across diverse conditions3.
Impact on Future Vehicle Development
These regulatory changes are accelerating the development of autonomous vehicle technologies. The EU's new rules explicitly consider the requirements for fully driverless vehicles, creating a framework that supports the gradual transition toward autonomous transportation. This forward-looking approach ensures that current safety systems will be compatible with future autonomous capabilities.
Advancements in radar technology, particularly the emergence of 4D imaging radar, are significantly enhancing the capabilities of AEB systems and contributing to the progression of vehicle autonomy.
Enhanced angular resolution enables precise differentiation between objects in close proximity, allowing the system to accurately identify and respond to potential hazards. For instance, distinguishing between two adjacent vehicles or detecting a pedestrian near a roadside barrier becomes more reliable, reducing the likelihood of false positives or missed detections.
Long-range debris detection is another critical benefit. With detection ranges extending beyond 300 meters, 4D imaging radar can identify obstacles such as lost cargo or tire fragments well in advance. This early detection capability provides sufficient time for the vehicle to execute safe evasive maneuvers or controlled braking, enhancing overall road safety, which is critical in industry’s migration towards autonomous driving.
These advancements collectively contribute to an enhanced Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) experience, offering drivers increased safety and comfort. The ability to detect and classify objects with high precision and at greater distances ensures that vehicles can proactively address potential hazards, paving the way for more advanced autonomous driving features.
The Future of AEB Systems: Let’s Partner for Safer Roads Ahead
The evolution of AEB systems, driven by new EU and US regulations, represents a significant step toward safer roads and autonomous vehicles. As manufacturers work to meet these enhanced requirements by 2026, we can expect to see continued innovation in sensor technology, processing capabilities, and system integration. Through advanced technologies like radar, and comprehensive testing and validation, the automotive industry is building safer vehicles and paving the way for autonomous driving.
At bitsensing, we are proud to contribute to this mission by delivering cutting-edge radar solutions that redefine safety and innovation in the automotive sector. Visit our NXP Partner page or contact us to learn more about how our technologies are shaping the future of AEB systems and autonomous vehicles.
Reference
1 New rules to improve road safety and enable fully driverless vehicles in the EU
2 NHTSA Finalizes Key Safety Rule to Reduce Crashes and Save Lives
3 EUROPEAN NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME (Euro NCAP) TEST PROTOCOL – AEB/LSS VRU systems