Emergency Braking Will Save Lives. Automakers Want to Charge Extra for It


Published on 2025-01-27 07:21:31 - Wired
  Print publication without navigation

  • The tech exists, and vehicles on the road already have it, yet a consortium of carmakers doesn't want to make this lifesaving equipment standard. The reason is as old as the hills
  • money.

The article from WIRED discusses how advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), specifically automatic emergency braking (AEB), are becoming standard in new vehicles due to their potential to significantly reduce traffic accidents and save lives. However, despite the life-saving benefits, many automakers are choosing to offer these safety features as optional extras, which can cost consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars more. This practice is criticized because AEB systems are relatively inexpensive to implement, with costs estimated at around $50 to $100 per vehicle. Critics argue that by making these features optional, car manufacturers are prioritizing profit over safety, potentially delaying the widespread adoption of technologies that could prevent thousands of crashes annually. The article highlights the ethical dilemma of charging extra for features that could prevent accidents, especially when the technology is already available and could be standard without significantly increasing the cost of the vehicle.

Read the Full Wired Article at:
[ https://www.wired.com/story/emergency-braking-will-save-lives-automakers-want-to-charge-extra-for-it/ ]
Contributing Sources