adaptive cruise control
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BMW's future cruise control will read traffic lights
Adaptive cruise control systems work well on highways. Once you get into town, though, they're less helpful -- and a lot of that has to do with traffic lights. Current systems don't recognize them, resulting in drivers running a red, putting themselves and everyone else on the road in danger. Also, the authorities frown on that sort of behavior.
Roberto Baldwin06.25.2019
Honda's cruise control can predict when drivers will cut into your lane
Most cars with adaptive cruise control monitor what's up ahead to automatically manage distance and braking. Now, Honda is taking the idea one step further by actively tracking and analyzing vehicles in neighboring lanes. Its new system is called Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control and should, in theory, make assisted driving a little safer and smoother. In the past, the car might brake sharply if another driver drifted into your lane because its narrow field of view couldn't detect the incoming vehicle early enough. Honda's new system uses a camera and radar setup to monitor the position of other cars on the road, before applying an algorithm to predict cut-ins before they occur. It'll make its debut in the firm's 2015 European CR-V and should result in earlier, softer braking on highways. Honda says it's been designed specifically for Europe (sorry US readers) and will adjust automatically if you cross into a country where you have to drive on the opposite side of the road.
Nick Summers01.09.2015
Porsche ACC InnoDrive handles all the pedals, takes the lead out of your foot
When we took a deeper look into the technology that makes a Porsche a Porsche, we experienced neck-snapping acceleration and yawn-inducing traction control, but never did we get the feeling that the car was actually driving itself. That could change soon, Autoblog catching the keys to a Porsche Panamera S test mule outfitted with something called ACC InnoDrive. ACC stands for Adaptive Cruise Control, while InnoDrive stands for (wait for it) Innovative Drive. It's basically cruise control with a brain, having a fully mapped-out route and knowing not only the severity of upcoming turns but also elevation changes and posted speed limits. In other words: it figures out how fast it should be going and even stops when it should, letting you go the entire distance without having to apply loafer to pedal -- assuming no intersections. Porsche isn't saying when we might see this technology coming to a dearly expensive options package near you, but assures us its cars never completely drive themselves: "We will not touch the steering, trust us. That hands-on aspect is key to the Porsche experience."
Tim Stevens06.29.2011
Volvo adding new safety features to S80, XC70, and V70 automobiles
Volvo's name has long since been connected with safety, and the firm has recently announced a few new features for the S80, XC70, and V70 that aim to keep the link alive. Among the new systems that should be available "at the end of 2007" is the (tweaked) Collision Warning with Auto Brake -- which automatically activates the brakes if the driver doesn't react to the warnings -- and the Driver Alert Control for monitoring the behavior of the vehicle and suggesting that the motorist take a coffee break if there's just too much swayin' going on. Additionally, Volvo will be adding the slightly more common adaptive cruise control and distance alert features to the aforementioned cars, but there's no word on whether NAV-equipped rides will route themselves to the nearest java shop if the pictured message is forced to appear.[Via CNET]Read - New Collision Warning from Volvo helps prevent rear-end collisions Read - Volvo introduces new systems for alerting tired drivers
Darren Murph08.29.2007
Continental telematics safety system alerts drivers of impending hazards
It's fairly safe to say that Continental Automotive Systems isn't the only company out there conjuring up an in-car safety system to alert motorists of impending hazards, and while a certain sect (we jest, we jest) would likely ignore whatever great advice it's sure to give, we can still admire the effort here. Dubbed a "car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure telematics application," the system's goal is to alert drivers in advance of potential perils such as poor traction conditions, an approaching ambulance / emergency vehicle, or a road-block ahead that could induce fits of frustration. The developments are reportedly right in line with the US government's Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Initiative, and we're sure officials are mighty proud of the E-Flare, which provides optical and acoustic warnings coupled with a force-feedback gas pedal, and E-Horn, which accepts incoming warning signals from emergency vehicles and alerts the driver via (presumably distracting) in-cabin lights and sounds. No word just yet on when our next whip will sport a few extra senses, but rather than make things easier on us to control, why not jump straight to autopilot?[Photo courtesy of Continental]
Darren Murph05.24.2007