Front Assist
Front Assist is an active safety feature that works to prevent a collision or at least mitigate its consequences.
Front Assist is a component of active safety that warns of collision danger, and if necessary, attempts to prevent or minimize the consequences of a collision through automatic braking.
The basic component of the Front Assist system is a radar usually located in the front bumper or grille. For example, the Škoda Fabia III utilizes a radar sensor from Bosch, which operates by transmitting and receiving microwave electromagnetic signals in the 76 – 77 GHz band. Based on received reflected waves, the control unit calculates the distance and relative velocity of objects detected by the radar.
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Functions:
The Front Assist function is available from a vehicle speed of at least 5 km/h. If the system detects a so-called critical distance from an obstacle (e.g., a vehicle ahead or a stationary vehicle), it begins to react to the situation in several phases to prevent a collision or at least shorten the vehicle’s required braking distance.
1 – Warning
The first step in the Front Assist function intervention is the display of an optical warning on the MaxiDOT display.
2 – Preliminary warning
In the second phase, the brakes are prepared for braking, i.e., the brake system is pressurized and the brake pads are brought into contact with the discs. At the same time, there is optical and acoustic warning for the driver. If the driver reacts to the situation by braking, enhanced braking effect is available. The warning light goes out. Optical warning is not displayed at low speeds.
3 – Brake jolt
In this phase, the brake system is already pressurized and prepared for operation with increased braking effect. As the critical distance decreases and the driver still does not react, brake jolt or brake vibration occurs. At speeds above 34 km/h, a partial braking phase also begins, with deceleration of approximately 3.5 m/s2.
4 – Automatic braking intervention
In this phase, the critical distance is minimal, and automatic braking occurs with increased intensity, approximately 6 m/s2.
The mentioned critical distance is a variable value of distance depending on the instantaneous speeds of both vehicles. It is based on the definition of a safe distance!
