If a car behind approaches within 10 meters, the system initially issues an audible warning. If the tailgating continues, the vehicle automatically increases its speed to create a safer buffer. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Mobis)
SEOUL, June 11 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai Mobis announced Wednesday it has developed a new rear safety control system that allows vehicles to autonomously accelerate to maintain a safe distance when being tailgated — a technological first aimed at enhancing driver protection on highways.
The feature, which integrates rear-side radar sensors with front-facing cameras and driving control software, is designed to activate when a vehicle is in Smart Cruise Control (SCC) mode.
If a car behind approaches within 10 meters, the system initially issues an audible warning. If the tailgating continues, the vehicle automatically increases its speed to create a safer buffer.
The innovation stems from an award-winning idea presented at the Hyundai Motor Group’s 2022 internal innovation contest, and has now been successfully commercialized for production.
Rear corner radars detect the following vehicle’s movements, while the front camera assesses lane and traffic conditions to determine whether and how the vehicle can safely accelerate.
Hyundai Mobis says this predictive safety system allows for “defensive driving” — performed autonomously by the vehicle — by adjusting the space between both the leading and following cars.
The company emphasized that this system goes beyond currently available rear safety features used by other automakers by actively managing both front and rear distances, not just issuing passive alerts.
Hyundai Mobis plans to expand the system’s autonomous control capabilities further. Future enhancements may include automatic lane-changing to help the vehicle escape hazardous situations without driver intervention.
“We aim to provide a comprehensive solution that ensures safety not only from hazards ahead, but also from dangers coming from behind,” said Jung Soo-kyung, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Mobis’ Electronics Business Unit.
The development reflects growing industry focus on 360-degree safety systems as automakers race to implement more advanced semi-autonomous and autonomous driving technologies ahead of broader market adoption expected by 2026.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
