Mazda to Introduce Automatic Braking this Spring

[David Fermani]

Mazda Motor Corporation announced that its redesigned crossover SUV, the CX-5, will be the first model to be equipped with the carmaker`s new automatic braking system beginning this spring. The safety technology, which Mazda calls Smart City Brake Support (SCBS), helps a driver to avoid a frontal collision when driving at speeds up to 30 km/h (approx. 18 MPH).



The SCBS system uses a laser sensor to detect a vehicle or obstacle in front and automatically reduces the extent of the brake rotor travel to quicken braking operation. If the driver fails to perform any operation to avoid a collision, such as applying the brake, SCBC automatically activates the brakes and reduces the engine output at the same time.



SCBC will help to avoid collisions, or at least mitigate the damage in the event a collision is unavoidable. The SCBS system also includes Acceleration Control for Automatic Transmission, which helps avoid unintentional acceleration that could be caused by depressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal. If a driver accelerates when an obstacle in front has been detected by the SCBS` laser sensor, the system alerts the driver with an alarm sound and an indicator. At the same time, engine output is curbed to stop unintended acceleration.



Mazda said it is intensifying its safety-related research and development efforts, aiming for the ultimate goal of realizing an accident-free and safe motorized society

[C. Charles Hahn]

So.... isn`t that basically a low-speed version of adaptive cruise?

[David Fermani]

Kinda, but don`t think adaptive will make the car completely stop?

[Ron Ketcham]

No way would I have something like that on a car I owned. I am a driver, not a "sit behind the wheel, texting and talking on the phone" we need more people who actually know how to drive, and that includes "defensive" driving, which requires paying attention to what you are doing.

Grumpy

[C. Charles Hahn]

Kinda, but don`t think adaptive will make the car completely stop?

Not sure; I`ve never tried, nor would I want to. I have driven cars with adaptive cruise though and I gotta say, it`s a strange feeling.



Interestingly enough Volvo has a similar system in place:



Volvo City Safety cuts insurance premiums - YouTube



Which isn`t very reliable:

No way would I have something like that on a car I owned. I am a driver, not a "sit behind the wheel, texting and talking on the phone" we need more people who actually know how to drive, and that includes "defensive" driving, which requires paying attention to what you are doing.

Grumpy

:werd: I hate that car manufacturers are pretty much forcing us to rely on their computer controlled safety gadgets instead of driving our own cars (and for that matter being able to see all around the vehicle). I hate the whole trend toward high window lines, short windows, oversize A/B/C pillars resulting in a ridiculous amount of blind spots.