Latest news with #AutomaticEmergencyBraking
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Zendar wants to race in ADAS game with radar tech
At a time when companies are exploring multiple paths to compete in the ADAS space, one startup is placing a bold bet on a radar-centric system. The eight-year-old startup, Zendar , plans to transform ADAS in India with radar-focused, AI-based, and cost-effective solutions to make advanced technologies more accessible, with the goal of improving road safety. The Berkeley-based startup—founded by two technologists Vinayak Nagpal and Jimmy Wang--aims to make ADAS stack technology 10 times cheaper by using radar-centric technology—a potentially game-changing move for the Indian automotive market . 'This is a state-of-the-art AI-capable radar, which is very cheap and also fairly low-cost in terms of compute,' said Vinayak Nagpal, CEO and Co-founder of Zendar, in an interaction with ETAuto. The company's production-ready ADAS solution is built on NXP silicon technology, which is trained on Indian driving data. Zender's choice of technology is a contrast to camera-based system used by industry peer Minus Zero. Why Radar Technology? Earlier limitations of radar—such as poor scene understanding—are now being overcome. 'Today, you can achieve complete scene understanding with radar,' Nagpal said. Unlike cameras, radar is unaffected by colour, lighting, speed variations, or distance, making it a more reliable choice for India's unpredictable road conditions. Zender's ADAS architecture shifts the workload from cameras to radar, significantly reducing compute requirements. Their system handles object detection, classification, and drivable area mapping, while cameras are used primarily for lane detection and traffic lights. Challenges in ADAS tech However, adoption of ADAS technology still faces a roadblock in the Indian market. Nagpal highlights common challenges—such as collision warnings and AEB ( Automatic Emergency Braking ) frequently generating false alarms in response to speed breakers or routine traffic behaviour. Additionally, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) struggles in mixed traffic scenarios involving pedestrians and various vehicle types, requiring frequent manual intervention. Another challenge lies in the fact that conventional ADAS systems were designed for Western highways, and thus fail to handle the chaotic nature of Indian roads. Zendar proposes an end-to-end AI-based driving system specifically trained for these conditions. Camera or Radar—Which is Better? Startups like Zendar and Minus Zero are both developing AI-enabled autonomous or ADAS solutions tailored for Indian road conditions—but they are betting on different approaches. While Zendar uses radar-first architecture, Minus Zero relies on camera-based AI systems. Unlike cameras, which may struggle with poor visibility, radar technology is seen by some as a better bet. Autonomous driving, electrification, ADAS and more AI-led technologies are paving ways to new technology frontiers creating an open ground for innovation. And startups like Zendar are trying to push the technological envelope.
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla Autopilot Trust Crisis: Phantom Braking Fallout
Imagine cruising down the highway in your Tesla, sun glinting off the dash, when-without warning-your car slams the brakes at 70 mph. No obstacle, no alert, just a jolt that leaves your heart pounding. For thousands of Tesla owners in the U.S. and Australia, this isn't a hypothetical-it's a terrifying reality fueling a wave of lawsuits against the electric automaker. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) logged 758 complaints about Teslas suddenly decelerating for no reason on American highways (NHTSA ODI, 2022). Drivers describe their vehicles "slamming the brakes" out of nowhere, with one shaken owner telling reporters, "It just slammed the brakes". These aren't isolated glitches. U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis recently gave the green light to a class-action lawsuit, citing allegations that Tesla knowingly withheld warnings about this dangerous defect. Tesla's phantom braking woes aren't confined to the U.S. In Australia, 10,000 owners have joined a Federal Court class action, accusing Tesla of misleading claims about Autopilot's safety and reliability. Plaintiffs allege that even with hands on the wheel, their cars decelerate without cause, creating "rear-ender nightmares." One driver recounted a "scary ride" after nearly being hit by a truck when his Tesla braked unexpectedly. Tesla's Autopilot and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems are designed to protect, using radar and cameras to scan the road. But for many, these systems are "ghost-braking"-slamming on the brakes for hazards that aren't there. NHTSA's ongoing investigation (PE 22 002) is focused on 2021–22 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, with up to 416,000 cars potentially affected (NHTSA, 2022). For drivers, it's more than a glitch-it's a betrayal by the very technology meant to keep them safe. The U.S. lawsuit alleges Tesla knew about phantom braking complaints as early as 2015 but kept drivers in the dark-possibly to avoid recalls or regulatory scrutiny. Judge Alexakis allowed claims of fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment to proceed, cutting only insurance-related allegations. The central question: Did Tesla profit by selling a feature it knew could fail when drivers needed it most? Paying extra for Autopilot is supposed to buy peace of mind-a digital co-pilot watching your back. But every phantom brake erodes that trust, turning confidence into caution. As one owner put it, "It feels like abandonment by a digital co-pilot." For many, Autopilot's promise of safety now comes with a side of anxiety. Tesla isn't alone. Automakers like Mercedes, GM, and Ford are also racing to perfect driver-assist tech, but the stakes are high. A recent IIHS study found that many Level 2 systems struggle to keep drivers engaged and accountable (IIHS, 2024). In the world of EVs and automation, credibility is everything. Once lost, it's hard to win back. With lawsuits gaining steam on two continents and hundreds of thousands of drivers affected, the phantom braking crisis is forcing a reckoning. Is this just a feature failure or a breach of trust that could reshape how we view automation in our cars? At 70 mph, does your car still have your back or is it ready to slam the brakes without warning? Share your story below, and let's start a conversation about the future of trust in our vehicles. Have you experienced phantom braking in your Tesla or another car? Comment below or share this story with friends-because the next chapter in this saga may affect every driver on the road. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Parent-Approved Car Features — Gear Up for Safer, Happier Drives
According to the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) guide to vehicle child safety, 'Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death for children,' but, 'The rate of child passenger deaths per million children also has fallen dramatically to 11.9 deaths per million children in 2022, a 61% reduction from 1975.' These reductions are due in part to modern safety features. As a parent, you want your children to be safe in a worst-case scenario, and you want them to have all the comfort and joy they can in your family car. Here are some features that parents should look for in their cars. While choosing what features to include on this list, safety was the main priority. Safety features lists compiled by car companies and organizations like AAA and IIHS helped inform the content included here. When it came to non-safety features, like entertainment and comfort, I relied on my own experience of owning a minivan for over six years now, as well as other parent reviews from places like Reddit. As always, the features included here are not meant to be a complete list but a solid overview of where to start your research. According to a list of family-friendly car features from Mazda, forward automatic braking will be standard in most vehicles by 2029. The automatic braking system stops your car if it detects you might hit something ahead of you. This is ideal for a family as it can help keep you and your family safe inside and outside the car. As explained by AAA's post explaining safety features, the Backup Collision Intervention system, like Automatic Emergency Braking, stops your car if it detects that you could run into something while going in reverse. Noticing small children behind your car can be difficult, but the inclusion of features like collision prevention and cameras helps to protect our little ones. I live in a busy neighborhood by a park that constantly has children running in and out of homes to play in the park. Our neighbor's kids even play street hockey regularly, making some sort of camera system feature essential, not just for my family's safety but the safety of others. Fortunately, this feature is easy to find as it has become standard in new cars since 2018, as pointed out by Universal Toyota. Blind Spot Detection is another essential feature for long family road trips. Family cars tend to get packed pretty full for road trips. You can't forget your toddler's favorite stuffie, shirt, or blanket! Blind Spot Detection is another important safety feature that helps you navigate as you drive. With Blind Spot Detection, you switch lanes safely and keep yourself and your little ones safe as you drive busy freeways. Another feature found in the US News article about family car features is a surround-view camera. Like the backup camera, surround-view provides you with just that much more visibility by offering a bird's-eye view of your vehicle. This camera is a family-friendly car feature that allows you to get a clear picture of any obstructions to your car as you back out of your driveway or pull into a parking spot. As included in the aforementioned Mazda list of family-friendly car features, some parents prefer to set up their phones to play music for their kids. Yes, you've heard Baby Shark a million times already, but being able to jump into your toddler's favorite song when they need a pick-me-up is a must for parents, especially when keeping kids happy on long road trips. I'm a big fan of the DVD player in my Honda Odyssey. Not only did it give a second life to my old DVD collection, which was gathering dust in a storage unit, but it also made long road trips so much easier. My Honda's entertainment system also comes with input hookups, allowing us to use the DVD screen for more than just movies. As seen on Reddit, you can even hook up a video game system! Long road trips are just made easier when your kids can watch their favorite movies and play their favorite games. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system is a simple feature but essential for families. The LATCH system consists of hooks installed in the middle and back rows of seats. These hooks allow car seats to securely attach to the car, without relying on seatbelts to keep the car seat anchored. This is a wonderful feature that likely already exists in your car; behind that, these hooks have been standard in most cars since late 2002, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 'Things I'm looking to have for sure in a [family] SUV: Leather seats because cloth ones get dirty/goopy too easily and hard to clean.' A user on the Parenting subreddit stated this, and it couldn't be more true. You can't predict how your kid is going to react to a drive, especially on long car rides. Your kid might get car sick, that Happy Meal might not be sitting well with them, and then — yep, clean up time. As a parent, you owe it to yourself to make things as easy as you can for yourself. In the same Parenting subreddit post, another user makes a comment that reminds us that sometimes the simplest of features can be so essential. Answering the question of what car features make your life easier as a parent, this Redditor said, 'The whole 'stereo controls on the steering wheel' is genius.' I fully agree. This is such a simple feature that most people wouldn't think twice about, but adjusting the music without taking my hands off the wheel or eyes off the road is an essential feature. A report from US News explains how the Hands-Free Trunk is a saver for the on-the-go parent. Parenting itself comes with several additional features, and those features tend to take up arm space. School, drama, sports, birthday parties, strollers — whatever it is, parenting tends to fill up arm space when taking your little ones from A to B. Now imagine carrying all that stuff and opening your Hands-Free Trunk with a gesture from your foot! Ralph Honda highlights the benefits of having in-cabin cameras. With a quick selection from the vehicle's control center, an image of the back seats of the car appears. This allows the driver to keep their head forward, facing the road and not turning around to see what's going on behind them. The goal of all family trips is safety, and this feature keeps the parents informed without pulling them completely away from their driving. Pairing nicely with the In-Cabin Camera feature, an Intercom System allows you to reach your kid even during the hustle and bustle of a road trip. Also found in US News's report on family-friendly car features, the Intercom System temporarily takes over the car's audio system and lets you talk to your kids in the back. This is a great feature when trying to get your kids' attention without having to shout. Also from the AAA article about best safety features, the Automatic High Beams have sensors that detect light sources and will automatically dim the lights when another vehicle approaches. This feature also automatically turns your high beams on when it detects there are no other cars on the road. This is a safety feature that adds to the overall safety of your vehicle by helping you drive safely by using the proper lights. Honda describes their Driver Attention Monitor as tracking how well you stay in your lanes and focus on driving. While on, your display will alert you if you are drifting too often and might need a break soon. In the previously mentioned Mazda list of family-friendly features, it notes, 'Driver Attention Alert is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving.' It is still up to you to drive responsibly for your family's safety. These features just help to keep you focused on what matters most when transporting your family. Some minivans come with a built-in vacuum cleaner as a family-friendly feature. This can help get those quick spills and messes left behind by little hands. As reviewed by a user on the Honda Odyssey Subreddit, it's not the most powerful vacuum, but they say, 'I've used ours lots on road trips and camping and quick jobs where I couldn't be bothered to go find another vacuum. If you have kids that make a mess then [it's] totally worth it.' A gentle debate on a car subreddit asks which family car has the most comfortable driver's seat. Especially when taking your kids on family road trips, you need a comfortable driving seat. Just like that subreddit, there are lots of opinions about the most comfortable driver's chair, but that's where your research is necessary to find what's right for you. Otherwise, how are you going to make it on that long road trip to Disney World? Universal Toyota discusses the importance of this safety feature. On long road trips, you hit the cruise control. This system doesn't brake for you if there is danger, but it will detect traffic flow and help you slow down to properly and safely maintain a travel distance between the car in front of you. This is a great safety feature to have in a car full of your loved ones. The Rear Passenger Alert feature simply reminds you to make sure your kid comes with you when you get out of your car, so you don't risk leaving them behind, as described by Kelly Blue Book. This might seem like a simple feature, but as NHTSA teaches us, children have a risk of losing their lives due to heatstroke when left in a hot car. These hot car deaths happen 52% of the time just because someone forgot to check the backseat for their kid. That's why this seemingly simple feature can be a lifesaver. Have you ever closed the sliding door of a minivan from the 90s? The force you need to exert on that door to close it felt like you could take someone's hand off! Automatic sliding doors remove the fear of a guillotine door. Much like the hands-free trunk, having sliding doors that open up with the touch of a button is so convenient when piling kids in and out of your van. Speaking from personal preference, once you have a minivan with automatic sliding doors, you will never want to go back. While discussing vehicle safety, it's important to note that one of your family's most important safety features is you. These features are meant only to assist in your family's well-being. Being informed and researching these features on your own gives you a leg up when making sure your family is getting what they need. Check out IIHS or NHTSA, which rate car safety and are great resources to begin researching on your own. Of all the family-friendly features on this list, you are the most important one. Safe driving out there!
India.com
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- India.com
JSW MG Motor India Launches MG Windsor PRO with Larger Battery and Advanced Features
JSW MG Motor India has launched the MG Windsor PRO, expanding its electric vehicle lineup with a new variant that includes updated technology, a larger battery, and added safety features. The Windsor PRO is equipped with a 52.9 kWh battery pack, offering a certified range of 449 km (MIDC) and delivers 136 PS power and 200 Nm torque. The vehicle has been introduced with an introductory Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) price of INR 12.49 lakh plus INR 4.5 per km and an ex-showroom price of INR 17.49 lakh for the first 8,000 bookings. The company is also enhancing its BaaS offering through partnerships with six financing institutions, including recent additions IDFC First Bank and Kotak Mahindra Prime. This plan enables more flexible EV ownership. The Windsor PRO includes a lifetime battery warranty for the first owner and a 3-60 assured buyback plan that guarantees a 60% residual value after three years. In terms of safety, the Windsor PRO includes Level 2 ADAS with 12 functions such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, and Automatic Emergency Braking. These features are supported with audio, visual, and haptic alerts. The model introduces new color options—Celadon Blue, Aurora Silver, and Glaze Red—along with 18' dual-tone alloy wheels. Interior updates include a dual-tone black and ivory cabin and reclinable Aero Lounge seats. A powered tailgate and glass roof are also part of the package. Technological enhancements include Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) capabilities, allowing the car to supply or receive power externally. The infotainment system features a 15.6' touch display, 80+ connected features, and AI-based voice controls. This model is based on MG's Smart Electric Platform, designed for durability and modular development.
USA Today
09-03-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Would you ride in a self-driving car? Survey says most Americans would not
Would you ride in a self-driving car? Survey says most Americans would not Show Caption Hide Caption GM gives up on loss-making Cruise robotaxi business General Motors is giving up on its Cruise robotaxi business. The auto giant said Tuesday that it would end development at the loss-making unit, which had once been a top priority. GM said too much time and resources would be required to make Cruise a success. If you had the chance to take a ride in a self-driving vehicle, would you? Most Americans would say no, according to a recent survey by AAA. "Most drivers are interested in advanced technology to enhance safety but still want to maintain a sense of control over their vehicles,' Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast, said in a written statement. "When it comes to gaining consumer trust in self-driving vehicles, automakers face a long road ahead and as vehicle technology continues to evolve, educating consumers on safety standards is paramount.' Here's more about what the survey says. What do Americans think about self-driving cars? The overwhelming majority still don't trust riding in self-driving cars, the AAA survey stated. "Just 13% of U.S. drivers indicated they'd feel safe riding in a self-driving or autonomous vehicle (AV)," according to the survey. "That's up from last year, when 9% of drivers said they'd be comfortable. Despite the slight increase, 6 in 10 drivers still report being afraid to get into a vehicle that drives itself." Where can self-driving vehicles be found? Robotaxis, which are self-driving vehicles used for taxi services - operate in several major cities, the survey stated, adding that "74% of drivers were aware of robotaxis, but more than half (53%) said they would choose not to ride in one." More self-driving vehicles: Tesla robotaxis by June? Musk turns to Texas for hands-off regulation In the United States, some of the cities robotaxis are operating in include San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin and Las Vegas. Tesla has talked about launching self-driving cars in Austin in 2025. There has been testing of self-driving cars in Massachusetts. Are self-driving cars important to American drivers? The survey indicates that self-driving cars are not particularly important to today's drivers. Rather, vehicle safety is their primary concern, according to the AAA survey. The survey noted that "78% of survey respondents listed advancements in safety systems as a top vehicle technology initiative. In contrast, the development of self-driving vehicles is a low priority as only 13% of drivers expressed interest in AV technology." What do drivers want these days? Technology is still of interest to drivers these days. The AAA survey stated that "interest in advanced driver assistance features continues to remain high." It found that "64% of U.S. drivers would 'definitely' or 'probably' want Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on their next vehicle, 62% would want Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking, and 59% would want Lane Keeping Assistance." "Advanced driver assistance technologies should enhance driver safety rather than give the impression that the car is driving itself,' Schieldrop stated in a release. 'As the software and sensors that power these systems continue to improve, drivers must be informed about their limitations as well.'
