Modern cars are slowly getting better at driving themselves (self driving). We all can’t wait for the day when, after a busy day work our cars can just drive us home all by themselves.
One piece of car tech that is already kinda achiving this goal is an old one – cruise control. But what if you take that old tech and make it more smarter, that’s when you get – wait for it – Adaptive Cruise Control.
What is Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)?
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is a type of cruise control technology that can regulate and maintain the speed of a vehicle based on the speed and distance of other vehicles in front of it. This adaptive guidance system helps drivers maintain an effective and safe following distance from other vehicles automatically.
How does Adaptive Cruise Control work (ACC)?
Adaptive Cruise Control works by constantly monitoring the distance between your car and the vehicle ahead. The system adjust your car’s speed accordingly so that you stay at a steady and predetermined gap.
ACC works by using sensors, such as cameras and radar, to detect objects in front of your car which triggers a braking system that slows or even stops the car – should they get too close.
Acc also takes into account acceleration when returning to your desired set speed so that your car will smoothly reach its preset cruising speed without any sudden jerks or jolts.
Conclusion
On our journey to the full self-driving revolution, Adaptive Cruise Control work (ACC) maybe the main technology that gets us there on time. By using the old and familiar Cruise Control system and giving it some modern artificial brains – our cars can now drive while you take some sips of your coffee.
Manufactures are constantly tinkering with ACC to get even more driving autonomy out of it. The process is slow but steady each new advancemnet brings us closer to 100% car self-driving autonmy.
Main image courtesy: Faraday
