Autonomous Vehicles Hit by "Phantom Braking"—Users Question Auto-Brake Logic

Recently, a vehicle owner reported that their intelligent driving car suddenly executed an emergency brake without warning on an empty, well-maintained highway during the early hours of the morning, despite clear visibility and open road conditions. The abrupt stop caused items inside the cabin to scatter and startled the occupants. At the time, the road was completely empty, and the central display showed a smooth driving trajectory—yet the system triggered what drivers have dubbed a “death brake” with no apparent cause. Industry experts note that the core challenge in current intelligent driving technology has shifted from “how to start” to “when to stop.” Misidentification of stationary or slow-moving obstacles often leads to unnecessary emergency braking. Such “phantom braking” incidents not only degrade ride comfort but also pose potential safety risks, highlighting an urgent need for algorithmic refinement and enhanced scene recognition capabilities.