Adaptive cruise control

Abstract

Like the basic cruise-control system that has been available as a standard feature for many years, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) can be categorized as a driver-assistance system. Cruise control regulates driving speed to maintain the desired speed selected by the driver using the cruise-control unit. In addition to the basic cruise-control function, ACC measures the distance to the vehicle in front and its relative speed, and uses this information together with other collected data (position of other vehicles in the same or different lane; in future, even stationary objects) to regulate the time gap between the vehicles. ACC is thus able to adapt the vehicle’s speed to match the speed of the vehicle traveling in front and maintain a safe distance from it. The driver is able to override or switch off the ACC function at any time (e.g. by depressing the gas or brake pedal).