Monday 17th November 2003

Adaptive Cruise Control

Bosch shrinks its kit - coming to a car not-too-near to you soon

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Bosch has launched the second generation of its Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) driver assistance system. The kit automatically detects the vehicles in front and modifies the speed of your car to maintain a safe distance. This version even takes into account the type of road you're on when working out what speed is safe in relation to the vehicles in front.

The new system, which Bosch forecast to appear in production vehicles from 2004, has been reduced in size by two thirds compared to its predecessor allowing easier integration into the front of the vehicle and features an expanded radar detection range of plus or minus 8 degrees from the centre of the front axle, doubling the "vision" of the previous unit.

This extended "view" enables a far better reading of the actual state of the traffic. For instance, the new unit will "see" a vehicle through a corner earlier and for longer, and it will also detect and react sooner to vehicles cutting in front after overtaking.

The improved technology also extends the range of operating speeds and from 2005, Bosch ACC will work from zero mph and be capable of controlling the movement of a vehicle in stop/go traffic conditions, and ultimately city traffic conditions.

Bosch plans to extend ACC into safety systems as part of a wider "Predictive Safety System" in 2005. If ACC identifies a critical traffic situation, the brake pads will be made to lightly touch the brake discs and the brake servo unit set to respond to a possible emergency braking manouvre. Braking time will therefore be reduced by fractions of a second. Other developmental stages of the Predictive Safety System will contain functions to warn the driver of the threat of collisions and even to undertake automatic emergency braking action. Expect a car of the future to yell "Oi! Watch out! " before you slam into the back of the car in front...

[Alex]

Whilst technically impressive, adaptive cruise control seems like the answer to a question no-one was asking.

[kenel]

I somehow cannot see me entrusting my life to a piece of equipment especially around corners. OK on motorways whilst I am making the tea and watching the telly I suppose. Anyone have similar misgivings

[stooz]

kenel said:

I somehow cannot see me entrusting my life to a piece of equipment especially around corners. OK on motorways whilst I am making the tea and watching the telly I suppose. Anyone have similar misgivings

I guess it depends on wether you intend to read a paper in the outside lane, or wether the sytem is just there as a backup plan?

if its only a backup, it will react quicker than you can and hopefully avoid an issue you hadnt or hadnt reacted to in time..

But im guessing its going to be the former, and allow you to drive without a care in the world, and let the car do the thinking for you. Is this better or worse? drivers with less skill or cares, but potentially less accidents due to a better computer control than the "average" rep mobile motorway driver.

Does it detect people stepping out from the pavement and pushbike couriers too?
the 0mph stuff will be weird to see. people reading the paper while queing along the A40 into London, the computer nudging them along. I bet it doesnt cater for red lights tho...

[sublimatica]

Cruise control is already one of the few optional extras I'd pay for on a new car, having had it for the last few years on my old Merc, so anything that dramatically improves its flexibility and ease of use can only be a good thing.

As far as safety is concerned, if it stops numpties tailgating by forcing a safe distance from the car in front then that's a Good Thing, right?

[stooz]

sublimatica said:

As far as safety is concerned, if it stops numpties tailgating by forcing a safe distance from the car in front then that's a Good Thing, right?

certainly is. But question wether it makes them better drivers?

[Buffalo]

I dont even have elctric windows in my car - i get in it to drive it *myself*. I dont like the idea of all these electronic gadgets in cars, it removes that vital element of thought.....

[mondeoman]

with adaptive cruise comes adaptive external speed control - no thank you, I prefer to think for myself. I'd rather have an LSD than traction control any day but I will admit to liking ABS

[stooz]

mondeoman said:

I'd rather have an LSD than traction control any day

how does drug taking improve driving? :grin:

(sorry! - whats LSD in car terms?)

[xm5er]

LSD is a Limited Slip Differential, which is absolutely essential if you want to have fun in a rear driver.