Hyundai Mobis developed the world’s first R-AEB system which incorporates USRR instead of ultrasonic sensors for improved performance

Even the most experienced drivers have blind spots in their rear view, which can lead to accidents. This is why technologies such as Rear-Autonomous Emergency Braking (R-AEB) have become increasingly important. For example, R-AEB has become a part of the safety test criteria in Europe. In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working to include R-AEB in its safety rating test. Hyundai Mobis developed the world’s first R-AEB system which incorporates USRR instead of ultrasonic sensors for improved performance.

Improved effectiveness with USRR

The vehicle starts to reverse → USRR sensors detect relative location and speed to the obstacle → system alerts the driver with visual and audio warning → autonomous braking applied

The latest Hyundai Azera and Kia Cadenza are equipped with the R-AEB* system which autonomously applies the brake stopping the vehicle when the driver ignores warnings and fails to apply the brakes. The R-AEB system enjoyed positive response for helping to avoid rear end accidents. However, its responsiveness and detection range had some room for improvement. Hyundai Mobis addressed these shortcomings by incorporating USRR.
* While the term R-AEB is most commonly used, Hyundai and Kia use Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse (PCA-R) to refer to its R-AEB system.

Until now, R-AEB has relied on ultrasonic sensors. Most R-AEB systems also incorporated other means of detection, such as cameras, to compensate for reduced efficiency of ultrasonic sensors due to unfavorable temperature, noise and humidity. Hyundai Mobis’ R-AEB system with USRR is the first in the world to apply radar sensors. Hyundai Mobis developed an USRR including sensor hardware and algorithm software, for its R-AEB system. Equipped with USRR, the next-generation R-AEB delivers faster responsiveness and a wider detection range in unfavorable conditions. While ultrasound sensors can detect objects up to 3m when rear parking, Hyundai Mobis’ USRR can detect up to 5m, allowing a faster response in emergency situations.

The performance of USRR is also more consistent against unfavorable conditions including noise, light and sensor contamination. Detection reliability is also much higher, eliminating the need for complementary sensors such as cameras. While ultrasonic sensors require the drilling of multiple holes in the rear bumper for installation, the USRR can be installed on the inner surface of the bumper, a plus in terms of aesthetics.

Hyundai Mobis has already verified the R-AEB with extensive road tests. The system has also passed the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro-NCAP) and the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) R-AEB tests. With the system reliability verified, Hyundai Mobis began discussion about mass production of its R-AEB with automakers in South Korea and abroad.

Mini interview on the development of Ultra-Short Range Radar

Ultrasonic sensors are a way to overcome the shortcomings of existing sensors

Q. Can you explain why it was decided to incorporate the USRR into the parking assist system?

Previously many industry members expressed concerns about incorporating radar into parking assist systems. Ultrasonic sensors dominated the market and were very cheap as well. After over 10 years of experience working on ultrasonic sensors, we were convinced that USRR is the solution to the shortcomings of the ultrasonic sensors used in the current parking assist systems.

Q. What kind of added convenience can we expect from Hyundai Mobis’ new R-AEB with USRR?

Even the most experienced drivers can bump into obstacles or pedestrians when reversing, sometimes leading to serious injuries. It is hard to avoid things you cannot see. Thankfully, the new R-AEB has a longer detection range and can apply the brakes more effectively to prevent collision with animals, obstacles or children. Thanks to USRR’s effectiveness, the R-AEB system does not need secondary sensors, leading to reduced costs at the system level. This allows automakers to incorporate our R-AEB into lower-priced vehicles and make it available to even more customers.

Q. What aspect of the R-AEB development process was the most important?

R-AEB is not something that drivers experience during everyday driving. Similar to airbags, it is activated only in an emergency to reduce damage to people and property. Therefore, the system had to be highly reliable and have the ability to intervene only when it is really needed. In fact, most of the development time was spent on ensuring reliable performance of the system.

Q. Many international automakers are working on convenience features such as R-AEB for parking assist. What other technologies are Hyundai Mobis working on?

Hyundai Mobis has a full suite of technologies for convenience features including parking assist. For example, we are working to improve our Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) system which allows drivers to park the car or take it out of a parking spot using the smart key whilst they are outside the car. Equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, the current generation of remote smart parking assist systems does not function unless it is near other vehicles that can bounce back the signals. We are working to incorporate surround view cameras. This will allow the system to visually detect parking lane marks and park the vehicles in parking spots without other vehicles serving as reference points, further enhancing driver convenience.

Interviewee. Dong-soo Park, Senior Reserch Engineer of the APS Control Engineering Team at Hyundai Mobis