[LINK] Autonomous emergency braking systems

[Karen Dearne]

Hi Linkers

I know there's been some discussion here about driverless cars, so I'm
wondering if anyone can help point me in the right direction

A family friend bought a Mazda CX-9 Azami (2017) last year, on the basis of
the advanced safety features promoted by Mazda as the 7-seater vehicle is
primarily intended for his wife and their three kids under the age of 5.

Car functions are operated via an electronic central control console, with
sensors and autonomous emergency braking.

Unfortunately it appears this vehicle is a lemon, as there's been a series
of problems with the screen shutting itself down, and various
"malfunctions" of the brake system, like someone pumping the brakes. (There
were also several quality problems which don't meet the luxury image and
almost $70K pricetag)

Most worrying however was a recent incident while his wife was driving with
the kids on the motorway north of Sydney, to Newcastle.

She signalled and began to pull out to overtake a slow moving vehicle when
the brakes slammed on, hard, and coming to a complete stop in the middle of
the motorway.

Fortunately there was little other traffic but if it had been busy there
would certainly have been a multi-car pile-up and probably injuries.

Mazda kept the car in its workshop for more than a month while it conducted
"investigations" and has now declared that there is nothing wrong with the
car.

However they must acknowledge the car suffered a "hard stop" as they had to
machine the disc brakes due to "glazing"

My friend has been driving a loan car, and has had no problems with that,
but Mazda has rejected his request for a new replacement vehicle or refund
of the purchase price.

The problem is, he and his wife have totally lost confidence in the safety
of that car, and I can't really blame for that.

Mazda says they've realigned the forward sensors, and had a field
technician drive it for nearly 500ks, in a range of conditions....

But what happens if the worst happens, and there is an accident.... And I
can't help thinking this can't be the only vehicle suffering electronic
system failures of this kind.

I have found some references to AEB/sensor systems misreading situations,
or reacting to other things in the environment - road signs, metal plates
on motorways, even cars travelling in opposite direction.

Has there been any work done here or elsewhere which might throw some light
on the risks?

Thanks for reading, I'll be glad to hear of any suggestions.

We're planning to take a complaint to NSW Fair Trading under Australian
consumer laws, but my real fear is that this may turn out to be a big
safety concern on our roads very soon

Regards, Karen Dearne