If you own a car built within the last few years, chances are, it has advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Although you might not recognize the terminology, ADAS features are found on nearly all modern cars. In fact, in 2018, 92.7% of all new vehicles had at least one ADAS system onboard, according to AAA.
Simply put, ADAS features are electronically-controlled functions that help the driver pilot the vehicle. Common examples include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot detection.
Together, these technologies, which are now found on even entry-level vehicles, are paving the way for a self-driving future.
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The Most Common ADAS Features
Now that you know your seemingly run-of-the-mill car is, in fact, a technological marvel, let’s take a look at some of the ADAS features it might include.
Automatic emergency braking
Human drivers are easily distracted. And automakers know this. That’s why many modern vehicles now include automatic emergency braking. The feature is designed to allow the car to brake without driver input when a potential collision is detected.
How does automatic emergency braking work? Most systems use both a forward-facing camera and a radar sensor to detect an impending collision. Additionally, several sensors are used to determine vehicle operating conditions, such as yaw rate, steering input, and vehicle speed. The information collected from these peripheral devices is shared over a computer network.
By using the sensory information listed above, the system decides when to warn the driver of an impending collision. If the driver doesn’t heed the warning, the system will automatically apply the brakes.
Lane keeping assist
Once again, distracted drivers are partially to blame for the invention of lane keeping assist. Because so many people are nearly asleep at the wheel, cars now have the ability to self-steer and maintain a driving lane.
A typical lane keeping assist system uses a camera to determine lane position, as well as a radar sensor to determine the proximity of other vehicles. Much like the emergency braking system, several other sensors are used to determine operating conditions.
The information is then shared over a computer network. If the vehicle veers from it’s lane, the system uses an electronically-controlled steering rack to nudge the vehicle back into position.
Adaptive cruise control
Traditional cruise control is great. But adaptive cruise control is much, much better. The technology allows the vehicle to accelerate and brake on its own, so you don’t have to toggle the cruise control buttons.
A typical adaptive cruise control system uses a camera and a radar sensor to detect the preceding vehicle. Several other sensors are used to determine operating conditions. Multiple computers then work together to control the vehicle’s brakes, transmission, and engine to maintain a safe following distance.
Blind spot detection
Have you ever wished you had a second set of eyes while driving? Blind spot detection helps fulfill that desire. When you go to change lanes, the technology checks whether there are any cars next to you. The system then alerts the driver if vehicles are detected.
A typical blind spot detection system uses a radar sensor to detect cars in the adjacent lane. Additional sensors are used to determine vehicle operating conditions. The information is then shared over a computer network. If the system detects a car outside of the driver’s view, it sounds a buzzer and illuminates visual warnings.
It’s worth noting that, unlike the previously mentioned ADAS functions, blind spot monitoring is considered a passive system, rather than an active system. This is because it simply provides alerts to the driver, instead of taking any actions on its own.
Additional ADAS features
The previously mentioned ADAS technologies are some of the most common. But there are many other available functions. The list includes (but is not limited to):
- Lane keeping assist
- Dynamic driving assist
- Forward collision warning
- Rear cross traffic warning
- Parking obstruction warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Reverse automatic emergency braking
- Automatic emergency steering
- Parking assist
- Remote parking
- Surround view monitor
- Adaptive headlights
- Driver monitoring
With so many available functions, it’s almost as if the car can drive itself. And that is the next frontier that, in some ways, is already upon us.
ADAS-Equipped Cars are Autonomous Cars
Everywhere you look, there’s a lot of hype about autonomous cars being just around the corner. But the truth is, they’re already here.
There are six levels of autonomy, starting at zero, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Active ADAS features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist, rank a Level 1.
More sophisticated ADAS features, including, for example, Tesla’s Auto Pilot and General Motor’s Super Cruise, are considered level two autonomy. Current Level 2 systems – referred to as dynamic driving assist – can control how the vehicle accelerates, brakes and steers.
Although high-level autonomy is probably a long way off, the technology is likely to trickle down in the form of increasingly sophisticated ADAS functions. So, the next time you’re driving a car equipped with active ADAS features, remember: you’re behind the wheel of a partially autonomous vehicle.