[RahulNagaraj]

A new study by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) put to test the driver-assistance systems of various carmakers. As per the results, of the 14 systems tested, only one - found on the Lexus LS sedan, was deemed "acceptable". The IIHS study showed that driver-assistance systems of all other brands, including the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Volvo were rated "poor".

IIHS even went on to praise the system in Lexus and its attention reminders and safety features.



As per reports, the IIHS evaluated the driver-assistance systems based on how they perform tasks. This includes driver monitoring by reminding them to pay attention to the road and the procedures the system follows in case of emergencies. David Harkey, President, IIHS, mentioned that most systems lack adequate measures to prevent misuse and keep drivers focused.

He stated, "Some drivers may feel that partial automation makes long drives easier, but there is little evidence it makes driving safer." He added, "As many high-profile crashes have illustrated, it can introduce new risks when systems lack the appropriate safeguards."

IIHS tests also rated Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving Beta systems poorly, stating, "both are driver-support features that require constant supervision." The safety organisation clarified that it evaluated the software preceding Tesla's Autopilot recall in December.

Other carmakers whose systems were also rated "poor", included BMW's Active Driving Assistant Pro and Ford's BlueCruise. On the other hand, General Motor's SuperCruise and Nissan's ProPilot Assist were rated "marginal".

Source: Bloomberg

Link to Team-BHP news

[DicKy]

Only wonder what they mean as good.

Is it the system working in the background without being intrusive?

Or is it the system throwing beeps, dings and dongs for each small thing and slowing/breaking whenever it is in doubt?

[ron178]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Only wonder what they mean as good.

Is it the system working in the background without being intrusive?

Or is it the system throwing beeps, dings and dongs for each small thing and slowing/breaking whenever it is in doubt?

The Bloomberg article (or at least its headline) is very misleading. These are highway assist systems (assisted driving packages for driver comfort) and not emergency safety systems, but IIHS is not actually testing their competence under this programme. It is rating the safeguards that these comfort-oriented systems employ in case the driver loses attention or attempts to engage the system without crucial safety features like AEB or seatbelts, etc. The performance of emergency safety assist features like AEB is separate and part of the IIHS safety rating criteria.

The equivalent Euro NCAP Assisted Driving grading for comfort systems (NOT to be confused with the Safety Assist portion of the safety rating which has only emergency systems) rates both the performance of the systems and the safety backups they have. The IIHS is only rating the latter.

Best to read the IIHS press release which is much more accurate. The rating criteria have been discussed here (IIHS to issue safeguard ratings for partially automated driving systems).