Skip to main content

AEBS – critical life-saving equipment for HGVs

Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) have been fitted as standard to most new HGVs sold in the UK since 2015. Drivers and operators of HGVs need to understand how it works, what it does and why it’s vital, according to Driving for Better Business, which has launched online guidance on the life-saving technology in collaboration with Thatcham Research.

ALKS Project: Consumer Confidence Safety Framework

Tom Leggett is Lead Research Engineer for Automated Driving at Thatcham Research. This is his final blog in a series providing behind the scenes insights into his work developing a world-first consumer rating framework for Automated Driving Systems.

Best-ever Euro NCAP test results shape Thatcham Research safest cars list for 2022

  • Thatcham Research and What Car? present 10-car shortlist for the What Car? Safety Award 2023
  • Judges only consider five-star Euro NCAP rated vehicles, along with other criteria such as safety innovation and mass market appeal
  • All cars tested by Euro NCAP in 2022 score four- or five-star rating for first time in programme history
  • Results show safety performance remains a top priority for carmakers and motorists
  • Emerging manufacturer entrants make impressive safety debuts in the UK market
  • Award judges note increased prevalence of partition airbags that prevent occupant interaction in a side collision and Driver Monitoring Systems – boosting new vehicle safety standards

Buying a car in the UK is literally a nightmare

"<a

From sales assistants having little or no knowledge of ADAS, to an actual shortage of cars in the UK - it’s safe to say, that buying a car is proving very difficult at present. Steph Garner, Sales and Marketing Manager for Moshon Data Ltd, shares her recent car-buying experience. 

Confused UK drivers believe they can buy a fully Autonomous car today

  • Thatcham Research urges caution as 52% of UK drivers still mistakenly believe that fully Autonomous driving is possible today; number rises to 72% in the US
  • UK motorists recognise potential for Automated Driving to improve safety by removing human error
  • Watching brief: 44% of UK respondents will wait for the technology to mature before they would consider purchasing a car with self- driving capability
  • Thatcham Research calls for all stakeholders to come together to instil Trust in Automation

FIAT Ducato secures world-first Platinum Commercial Van Safety Rating, but crucial safety equipment still remains inadequate on LCVs

  • Overhauled FIAT Ducato’s test score improves by 60%, promoting it from Bronze to first Platinum-rated vehicle
  • Tests come as van sales continue to rise sharply with a 26% increase in LCVs compared to a 6% rise in new cars[1]
  • Per mile travelled, vans and LCVs are involved in more deaths of other road users than any other vehicle type[2]
  • Nissan’s Interstar (formerly the NV400) was the worst performer, receiving a Not Recommended rating

The world’s only Commercial Van Safety Rating programme, administered by vehicle safety experts at Euro NCAP and Thatcham Research, has awarded Fiat’s Ducato model a Platinum rating – marking the first time a manufacturer has ever received the highest accolade available.

Latest Euro NCAP gradings show Nissan and Volkswagen are bringing high-performance Assisted Driving to the mainstream

Thatchem Testing driving at a target
Latest Euro NCAP gradings show Nissan and Volkswagen are bringing high-performance Assisted Driving to the mainstream
  • Nissan Qashqai and VW ID.5 achieve ‘very good’ ratings in latest Euro NCAP Assisted Driving gradings
  • Polestar 2 upgrades its Pilot Assist system via an Over-the-Air update to improve its steering support, which takes its rating from ‘moderate’ to ‘good’
  • Entry’ rating for the Jaguar I-Pace which delivers the essentials for assisted driving but lacks more advanced features
  • Thatcham Research encourages drivers to reap safety and comfort benefits of ‘driver assist’ systems