New Audi A8 debuts Bosch automatic emergency braking

Bosch’s automatic emergency braking system is going into series production for the first time, fitted as standard to the new Audi A8.

The system provides support for drivers where there is the threat of a rear-end collision.

It interprets the state of the traffic flow ahead of the vehicle, warns the driver and reacts automatically.

“Roughly 80 percent of drivers do not hit the brakes at all before a rear-end collision, or do not use the car’s full braking capacity,” said Dr. Werner Struth, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division.

The system is based on ESP® electronic stability program and the LRR3 long-range radar sensors of the ACC adaptive cruise control system, which are complemented by a video sensor.

The Audi A8 features two long-range Bosch generation 3 radar sensors, which can detect objects within a beam width of 40 degrees at a distance of up to 250 metres, and can determine their position and speed.

Of all the accidents involving injury and fatalities in Germany, 15% are rear-end collisions.

Other Bosch systems and components in the new A8, include the instrument cluster; the control unit and sensors for the passenger restraint system; a domain control unit; the starter, and the wiper drive.

For the gasoline engines of the new A8, Bosch supplies various engine control units.

The two initially available diesel engines use Bosch injection systems with piezo valves and injection pressure of up to 2000 bar.