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Law, costs slow adaptive control

Automakers have solved the basic concept of an adaptive cruise control system: Automatically maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of it, even if that car slows or speeds up. But as ACC systems develop more capabilities, there is debate on whether the car should brake by itself if it detects danger and the driver doesn't react. So far, most carmakers prefer to keep the power in the driver's hands.
TL
By:
Tony Lewin
May 01, 2006 05:00 AM
Legal limits

What adaptive cruise control (ACC) can do:

  • Maintain safe distance from the car ahead, regardless of its speed

  • Halt the car in city traffic, restart at driver command

  • Alert the driver to hazards

  • Apply gentle braking if the driver still does not respond

  • Mitigate severity of unavoidable collisions by braking moderately

What ACC could do if laws allowed:

  • Apply full emergency braking to avoid an accident

  • Inhibit re-start in city traffic if a pedestrian is in front of the vehicle

  • Intervene in steering to avoid an obstacle

  • Adapt vehicle's speed to suit local conditions

Barriers to adoption

  • High cost, especially sensing systems

  • Packaging cameras or radar in vehicle

  • Lack of user familiarity

  • Legal ambiguity on automated emergency braking

Automakers and suppliers are developing increasingly capable adaptive cruise control systems, but high costs and an uncertain legal climate are slowing sales.

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