“Cars Now Recognizing and Braking for Pedestrians on Streets”

From Naver:

Cars with the ability of stopping themselves when pedestrians suddenly cross the road are now commercially available. These cars have also met safety standards in road tests. Cars like these, however, are going to come with a price tag.

Sangwoo Han reports.

Cruising at 45 km per hour this car can stop in an instant- 2 meters in front of a pedestrian or another vehicle.

Without the need for the driver to use the brakes, this car’s emergency automated braking system recognizes pedestrians and stops the car automatically.

These vehicles utilize functions that can spot pedestrians in between cars.

The vehicle’s front radar can read 150 meters, while behind the glass, another camera can simultaneously sense objects up to 65 meters ahead.

Being that Korea ranks first among OECD nations in vehicular pedestrian deaths, this technology is extremely useful.

According to Gyeong-chan Min, senior fellow at the Korean Transportation Safety Authority, “Pedestrian deaths number around 2,000 [per year]. We expect to lower that number by more than 20%.”

Europe is already requiring the system be installed in newly released cars over the next few years.

Korea too is expected to have this installed feature safety-tested and implemented over the next few years.

Presently, only high-end cars come equipped with such devices to prevent collisions. However, once the safety testing and criteria are met, the devices will be quickly distributed to all concerned customers.

Comments from Naver:

gots****:

There’s also the problem of jaywalkers. Even though they are not even some wild animals, those reckless old people cross the road without looking for cars and just barrel on looking straight ahead. They are like, “Do whatever you want but since I’m going you should stop” and jaywalk dangerously. ㅠㅠ

desp****:

This can eliminate all those who intentionally cross in front of cars in order to collect insurance money.

hsh1****:

Ke ke ke, of course the car price has to be equally expensive.

neti****:

What about the sudden unintended acceleration problem…

phot****:

This is just a mindless excuse to further raise the price of vehicles for Hyundai-Kia Motors.

shdm****:

If you stop so suddenly, what about all the cars following close behind you?

tkat****:

It’s the people with brains that should stop. Why should cars be forced to stop on the road? If a car stops suddenly and gets rear-ended, who’s gonna take responsibility? Jaywalkers who create accidents should be punished as if they are murderers.

uyt4****:

The scariest thing is…what if it malfunctions?

csh1****: