Despite the belief self-driving cars and the possibility of purchasing them is just around the corner, none are available to buy on the European car market. Despite the lack of fully self-driving vehicles, most new cars are already fitted with some form of forerunner technology which enables the successful operation of automated vehicles.
This technology exists as an Assisted Driving option in around 90% of new cars and is helping car drivers to stay safe. As part of its rating programme, Euro NCAP has been evaluating Assisted Driving systems for the past three years, and the latest batch of gradings reveal just how good these systems are. Euro NCAP has released the results of gradings for three vehicles - the Renault Austral, Nissan Ariya, and the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Research has shown that leaving a lane unintentionally and going off the highway due to distraction or drowsiness or running into the car in front are the two most common crashes that could occur to drivers when driving on a highway. Assisted Driving systems when used properly help address these situations by keeping drivers alert and addressing actions resulting from fatigue. These systems can steer the car within its lane and ensure the maintenance of a safe distance from the vehicle in front allowing the car time to brake safely.
ADAS, although supporting the driver are not there to take over the driving role. Euro NCAP strongly encourages a collaborative or balanced approach where car and driver work hand in hand to share the driving task.
If the technology/system works correctly in the context of this balanced approach, then it's a real contribution to safe driving. If not or there is a lack of communication on either side, drivers may put themselves or others at risk. Euro NCAP employs some exacting track-based assessments to measure system performance. Tests assess the competency of vehicles with steering and braking, how collaborative the system is (to prevent dangerous over-reliance) and finally, if things do go wrong, how well the car can avoid a potentially hazardous situation. Lastly, a review is made of the information (marketing material and literature) given to the consumer and how the driver is trained on its use. Euro NCAP's grading consists of two areas of focus and five levels of grading.
The latest gradings in this release reveal how competent these systems are and demonstrate their growing prevalence in cars produced by mainstream manufacturers. The impressive stars of the recent publication are the Renault Austral Active Driver Assist and the Nissan Ariya ProPILOT Assist systems, which both achieved Very Good gradings. The Austral's system gained the highest points of any Renault Assisted Driving system tested by Euro NCAP.
The cars impressed the test engineers with their full 25-point scores in the collaborative driving tests suggesting that these vehicles work well with the driver and do not allow over-reliance on the system. Also impressive are the systems' ability to react to road features, slowing down for tighter corners and roundabouts, adding to the driver's safety whilst reducing fatigue. The Nissan will also slow for junctions, and another added benefit. However, Renault ultimately reacts to other vehicles more comprehensively, allowing it to achieve a slightly better score. Both cars have excellent Safety Back-up systems and can be lauded for accurately indicating their system's functionality and limitations.
According to EURO NCAP the promotional material for the Alfa Romeo Tonale Active Driving Assist made misleading references to automation that lowered its score, but the system was still balanced with modest levels of Vehicle Assistance and Driver Engagement and good Safety Back-up scores, resulting in a Moderate grading.
"With Assisted Driving Systems, Euro NCAP strongly advocates a collaborative approach between vehicle and driver to ensure that the driver's eyes always remain on the road, hands are mainly on the wheel, and that there is no possibility of over-reliance. We look forward to seeing how new cars meet our extended protocols applicable to assisted driving in other than highway conditions, which will be introduced next year".
Said Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General Euro NCAP
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