Opinion: Are emergency brakes obsolete on an automatic car now with all the bells and whistles like ABS and other computerized car options?

I think so. I would challenge anybody to provide proof of a vehicle coming out of park and rolling away. I don't even believe the answer from Klze. Right, just happened to have the emergency brake set while in an accident? I'm skeptical.

They are not obsolete, They are required for every modern car that is manufactured today. When the engine is not running, all the computerized bells and whistles and ABS are off too. Parking brakes/Emergency brakes will function without need for engine power or electric power.

One of the purposes of an emergency brake is to have a completely independent backup in case of brake failure. It should work even if your hydraulic system is damaged or your master cylinder fails. It will also work if your engine dies and you lose the vacuum assistance.

Another point is that the Park setting locks the drive shaft, not the brakes. Depending on the design of the differential this can allow the rear tires to still roll, one will roll forward and the other backwards. Not normally a problem but if you jack up one tire to change it or park with one tire on ice on a slope the emergency brake is necessary.

So I do believe emergency brakes are necessary.

I don't think emergency brakes will ever be obsolete even in an automatic because things fail anf it is a good backup or for parking on steep hills etc.

I was in an accident and that brake stopped my car from rolling into traffic with me injured in it.

Emergency brakes, also commonly known as parking brakes are a legal requirement. It is required by law to have a redundant braking system in case the primary braking system fails.

The similar question that comes to mind, specifically for HYBRID vehicles with regenerative braking systems, and in particular, the design that uses Wheel Motors, with a seperate drive motor/brake motor on each wheel, each wheel motor may be controlled to provide traction control and ABS with no need for any actual hydraulic or mechanical brakes for most conditions. If you can do that, why not produce the car with entirely electric drive and braking system, no hydraulic or mechanical brakes?

most cars have parking brakes not emergency brakes.

Nope.