In a nutshell: AAA just lately performed exams involving three automobiles geared up with an energetic driving help (Level 2) system: a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, a 2021 Subaru Forester and a 2020 Tesla Model 3, and the outcomes aren’t very encouraging because it pertains to security.
Each automobile was in a position to detect a slow-moving dummy automobile touring in the identical route because the check automobile. In every check (5 runs per automobile), the check automobile utilized the brakes and matched the pace of the stand-in to keep away from an influence.
Similarly, all check automobiles had been in a position to detect a simulated bicycle owner touring in the identical route and sluggish their pace to stop an influence.
When the dummy automobile was positioned in the identical lane to simulate a head-on collision ensuing from an impaired or distracted driver, the check automobiles impacted it every time.
The pace of the check automobile and simulated oncoming automobile was 25 mph and 15 mph, respectively – decrease than what would possibly happen in the true world. The Hyundai and Subaru made no makes an attempt to use the brakes and hit the goal with out lowering pace. The Tesla did apply the brakes in each check, however nonetheless managed to influence the dummy automobile at a mean pace of two.3 mph.
What’s extra, the Subaru Forester did not detect a simulated bicycle owner crossing the road in entrance of it. The Tesla and Hyundai had been each in a position to brake to keep away from influence on this check.
Greg Brannon, director of AAA’s automotive engineering, mentioned their testing demonstrates spotty efficiency is the norm reasonably than the exception.
AAA’s recommendation to automakers is easy: hearken to shoppers and enhance at the moment out there methods earlier than making an attempt to deal with the longer term. “You cannot promote shoppers on the longer term if they do not belief the current,” Brannon added.
Tesla didn’t reply to a request for remark from Reuters. A rep for Hyundai mentioned they’re “reviewing the findings in AAA’s report as a part of our ongoing dedication to buyer security.” Subaru informed the publication they’re wanting into the check to raised perceive AAA’s methodology however did not have an in depth response presently.
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