Adaptive Cruise Control is one of the most advanced innovations in automotive technology today, probably a precursor to fully automated travel. A number of luxury vehicles offer ACC. Mercedes Benz was the first to offer ACC, called the Distronic system. Other automakers followed suit, such as Lexus’ with its Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, Acura, Audi, Nissan, Volkswagen, BMW, Infiniti, Cadillac, Toyota and Jaguar.
Adaptive cruise control uses either radar or lasers that signal the car to slow down if it gets too close to another car on the road and accelerate again if the traffic allows it. AAC promises to reduce rear-end collisions in heavy traffic as well as reduce fuel consumption. ACC can also handle twice or thrice today’s traffic.
Among the models with Adaptive Cruise Control, the Acura RL’s has a collision mitigating braking system. Some Infiniti models are equipped with sensors and cameras that read the lane markers and alert the drivers when crossing into another lane. Meanwhile, sensors in the Audi Q7 monitor blind spots.
June 1st, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Where are the American carmakers on this? Lagging behind as usual, I guess. Sounds like in a few years we’ll be able to start the car, lean back for a nap and then be gently woken as we’re pulling into the driveway.
June 19th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Actually, Cadillac has had ACC for several years starting with the Cadi XLR and then on the STS and soon to be on the DTS. Jaguar was one of the first to have ACC (within a month of the mercedes system), and don’t forget who owns them (hint: Ford).
June 23rd, 2006 at 6:28 am
Can someone explain why Toyota which has the Laser Cruise Control on their Sierra and their Avalon, keeps it off its Solara Convertible…and off all other models?
It seems so simple to modify the 2007 Camry to accept it.