Core Viewpoint - Euro NCAP has announced new safety rating regulations for 2026, establishing updated benchmarks for automotive safety and innovation, particularly focusing on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) [4][5]. Group 1: Changes in Safety Rating Regulations - The Euro NCAP safety rating system, established in 1996, will categorize tests into four key areas: Safe Driving, Collision Avoidance, Collision Protection, and Post-Collision Safety starting January 2026 [5][10]. - The evaluation of driver monitoring systems will be enhanced, with advanced systems that can track driver performance earning up to 25 points, compared to the current 2 points for basic alerts [11]. - Systems that can identify and respond to driver impairment due to substances will also receive scoring incentives [12]. Group 2: Collision Avoidance and Protection - The Collision Avoidance category will include more in-depth testing of systems like Steering Assistance (SA) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), reflecting real-world accident scenarios [15]. - Collision Protection assessments will focus on passive safety features, considering various body types and ages to improve safety for elderly drivers and child passengers [15]. - Post-Collision Safety upgrades will require systems like eCall to include passenger count in emergency messages, even detecting unbuckled passengers [15]. Group 3: New ADAS Testing Methodologies - Euro NCAP is committed to accurately assessing vehicles that meet its stringent standards, as demonstrated in recent tests of the new electric Renault 5 model [18][20]. - The 2024 ADAS testing and evaluation scheme includes nearly 60 pages of criteria based on real-time performance of speed assistance, adaptive cruise control (ACC), and collision avoidance systems [21]. - The "cut-out test" will evaluate how well emergency braking systems respond to sudden lane changes by preceding vehicles, with additional points for successfully avoiding motorcycles and bicycles [22]. Group 4: Testing Equipment and Procedures - Advanced testing equipment, including vehicles equipped with GPS and smart control devices, ensures high repeatability and accuracy in testing scenarios [24][26]. - The testing process involves simulating real-world conditions with foam models representing vehicles, ensuring that the systems can detect and respond to various obstacles [29][31]. - The performance of the Renault 5 during tests met expectations, demonstrating effective emergency braking capabilities [36].