Tesla Makes Available Automatic Emergency Braking Update Due To Lower Scores Model S & Model X Got From Consumer Reports

Tesla issued an update which added the limited use of automatic emergency braking (AEB). The safety feature, announced in late 2016, was rolled out just before the release of Consumer Reports. The lack of AEB resulted in Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles receiving lower scores in the report.

Model S and Model X cars made by Tesla from October 2016 no longer had the AEB feature. The AEB for speeds of up to 90 mph was found on Tesla vehicles manufactured prior to October 2016. Although the company founded by Elon Musk promised to activate the feature after thoroughly testing the AEB, its lack made Consumer Reports deduct points from the two models, Slash Gear reports.

Although Tesla started rolling out the AEB update beginning on April 25, Consumer Reports notes that the system is limited to speeds of 28 mph or slower. The report insists the AEB limit is much lower than higher speeds where automatic emergency braking is needed.

Tesla assured the 28 mph speed limit is only the initial step in meeting the IIHS requirement. The vehicle maker said that in the next few weeks, it would boost AEB speed activation until the Model S and Model X become the most capable of any vehicle in the world, Teslarati reports. Consumer Reports would review again the scores of the two car models if it is sure the new AEB software are installed on all Tesla vehicles are eligible.

Models with low-speed AEB systems receive a lower bonus compared to vehicles with high-speed AEB systems, Consumer Reports explains. It also gives bonus points for vehicle models with the forward-collision warning and AEB as the benchmark across the model lines of a car as part of the report’s overall score to car models. Jake Fisher, director of Auto Testing at Consumer Reports, adds that the safety organization appreciates the fact that Tesla had begun rolling out the AEB on the two models.