Adaptive Cruise Control: What is ACC in ADAS?

Table Of Content

• Adaptive Cruise Control Calibration
• ACC with Stop & Go, Traffic Jam
• In the Works — Brands that haven’t yet released adaptive cruise control systems on motorcycles
• What Is the Difference Between Adaptive Cruise Control and Self-Driving?
• What is ADAS? Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Guide
• Can my vehicle switch between Adaptive Cruise Control and cruise control?
• Cruise control safety tips
• How Does Adaptive Cruise Control Work?

It also detects when a vehicle in front of you is going more slowly than you, and uses that as an input (whether to slow down, or to set off an alert). Moreover, the more sophisticated systems with full stop and start or a low-speed traffic-jam feature work great for city driving. Typically, ACC gets included in a trim level or some sort of optional driver-assistance package on new cars.

Adaptive Cruise Control Calibration

They can also make the systems overly sensitive, or not sensitive enough. Because it’s not an autonomous car, those with stop and go capabilities will only “go” again within three seconds if traffic flow allows. If it’s longer than three seconds, driver action is needed to re-engage the system. For example, the Hyundai Elantra SEL ($22,795 with destination fee) offers its Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go in its optional Convenience Package ($1,900). It also includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, Junction-Turning Detection, navigation, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, and more. On the other hand, the same ACC system is standard for the $27,395 Elantra Limited.

ACC with Stop & Go, Traffic Jam

[8] “Everything You Need to Know about Cruise Control,” Dave Johnston, mycarmakesnoise.com/electronics/cruise-control-guide (accessed July 11, 2023). So when ACC acts up, check for sensor obstructions, misalignment, and also ask your dealer to verify the latest software is installed. But it‘s impossible to evaluate every edge case scenario an ACC system may encounter once on the road. Names, tech, and bundled features make the automotive landscape — dotted with endless features, diverse names, and function variations — a bit tricky to navigate. To help you recognize ACC features, here are four automaker examples. To provide you with real-world car reviews, car news, and car buying advice to help make buying a car easier.

In the Works — Brands that haven’t yet released adaptive cruise control systems on motorcycles

Adaptive Cruise Control: How Does It Work? - Kelley Blue Book

Adaptive Cruise Control: How Does It Work?.

Posted: Thu, 21 Jul 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

All the while, data from sensors is used to keep a set, safe distance from cars ahead when you encounter heavy traffic. The normal cruise control we’re all used to allows a driver to set a speed and then the car will maintain that speed without the driver needing to touch the accelerator pedal. Then when the driver needs to adjust the speed, they can either do so via the cruise control stalk and/or buttons on the steering wheel, depending on the make and model of vehicle. The driver can also deactivate cruise control via the brake pedal, or momentarily increase the speed, say, when overtaking, by pressing the accelerator pedal. Cruise Control may return to the preset speed if you have deactivated it by pressing the accelerator, but will always disengage entirely if you have used the brakes or changed gear in a manual.

While it can help reduce driver fatigue and improve fuel economy on long drives, it requires the driver to remain attentive and adjust the speed manually if necessary. Therefore, it is important for drivers to use it responsibly and not rely solely on the system to maintain a safe driving experience. TomTom creates technologies for a moving world that supports all levels of autonomous driving. To learn more about how the ADAS Map is already powering automated vehicles on the road today, download the product sheet.

All these are critical components for car manufacturers developing the latest standard in automated driving systems. They begin with no automation and wrap up with full automation, including vehicles without pedals or steering wheels. By the early 1990s, Japanese carmakers were adding a form of forward collision warning to their cruise control, but it was still up to the driver to react and apply the brakes. Not until Mercedes-Benz developed its Distronic cruise control did cruise control with self-braking make its first public appearance. When this sort of radar technology first appeared it was as a $1500 cost option on the $220,000+ 1999-model Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Can my vehicle switch between Adaptive Cruise Control and cruise control?

Stop-and-Go speed control systems can help reduce the stress and fatigue of driving in heavy traffic, as the system takes care of maintaining a safe distance and speed. Some systems also have the ability to recognize and respond to pedestrians and other obstacles, providing an added layer of safety. ACC is a major component and precursor of fully autonomous vehicles. On its own, ACC is a Level 1, but when combined with another driver assist feature that steers, your vehicle reaches Level 2 on the Driving Automation scale – a step closer to fully autonomous driving.

Newer systems use the brakes and even gears to properly maintain the target speed up or down hill. You can also use your active cruise control as standard (non-adaptive) cruise control, anyway. This is more something to think about when you own a motorcycle long-term. Sometimes you may ride through countries where your radar isn’t licensed to operate. In those cases, you dive through the menus, turn active cruise control off, and use cruise control as normal.

ACC will usually be part of a suite of safety features that some manufacturers refer to as ‘Forward Collision Warning’. These systems are always active and commonly include, lane departure warnings, lane departure assist, brake assist, pedestrian detection and so on. Subaru offer it as standard equipment on the top-spec Forrester and Outback models, and all of the Liberty range. The latter are the only vehicles in Australia that offer the feature in a sub-$30K car ($29,990+ORC).

Interestingly Subaru are one of the few manufacturers that don’t use radar technology for this feature. Instead they use an optical system called Eyesight based on stereoscopic cameras placed on either side of the rear view mirror. It’s important to remember that cruise control is not a substitute for attentive driving.

With or without ACC, it’s important to always leave more space during poor driving conditions, including inclement weather. Automotive engineers tweaked around the edges of cruise control for the next 35 years. However, cruise control didn’t evolve much beyond the first system that found its way into the 1958 Chrysler Imperial.

Fully automated vehicles are already being tested in different parts of the world and what we are seeing in the market place today, are the trickle down effects from that innovation. When towing a trailer, Adaptive Cruise Control driving characteristics, such as following gap, acceleration rates and braking rates, may be modified to provide a better towing experience. Adaptive Cruise Control has limited braking capability, so if the vehicle you’re following stops too suddenly, you’ll get an alert to take action by quickly applying the brakes yourself. Honda just released their NT1100 sport tourer, which has cruise control, but it’s not active.

The ACC may not detect long overhanging loads on trucks, or narrow vehicles like motorcycles. It is critical to understand the limitations of the system and be sure that you are only using these systems as a back up to your own driving. Don’t think it’s a set and forget kind of thing; you must still be paying attention to what’s happening around you. Cruise control has come a long way from its early days in its quest to assist drivers on the road. When first introduced, it was only found in luxury car models due to its high production cost. As less expensive sensors reached the market, adaptive cruise control is steadily becoming a standard feature in new vehicles today.

Cruise control is still the more prolific of speed controls offered on today’s new cars, but adaptive cruise control has started gaining ground. More car models provide it as standard or as an available option. But, what exactly is adaptive cruise control, and how does it work? If the system doesn’t detect a vehicle ahead, Adaptive Cruise Control works just like cruise control and maintains your selected cruise speed. When the system detects a vehicle ahead of you in your lane, it will automatically slow down or speed up your vehicle to maintain your selected following gap. Bosch has developed several ADAS functions relying on TomTom ADAS Map data services for intelligent cruise control, upcoming curve alerts and jam tail warnings.

My first pick would be the liquid-cooled Indian Challenger model range. Big air-cooled engine, yes, but also you’re piloting a starship. We’ll look more at how to use these functions on different motorcycles below.