What is Adaptive Cruise Control?

Cruise control is one of the most successful developments in automotive history. Once considered a luxury feature, now you can hardly find a car on the road without it. But there is one main problem with cruise control: You can’t use it in traffic.

This is why adaptive cruise control (ACC) has become a much-appreciated feature with car owners. What is adaptive cruise control, and how does it work? Below, we explain it below.

How Does Adaptive Cruise Control Work?

Each manufacturer has a slightly different device for achieving adaptive cruise control, but adaptive cruise control systems use lasers or radars to measure their distance from vehicles in front of them (and sometimes behind them).

ACC is self-contained and doesn’t rely on satellites or information shared by other vehicles to make its calculations. Some radar-based systems incorporate warnings and/or automated braking when the sensor perceives an impending collision. For these reasons, adaptive cruise control is considered one of the foundational technologies of autonomous driving, and it has probably been around longer than you think.

The technology can actually be traced back to 1992 when Mitsubishi offered a Lidar-based detection system on a vehicle it only sold in Japan, though that system was only a warning and made no inputs on behalf of the driver.

Laser vs. Radar Systems

Shoppers interested in adaptive cruise control systems would do well to learn whether the car they’re considering uses laser or radar for its adaptive cruise control system.

●      Laser Systems

Laser systems use exposed sensors placed on the front of the vehicle, commonly on the grille or bumper. These systems won’t work in inclement weather or if the sensors are dirty or clouded over.

●      Radar Systems

Radar systems don’t have that problem. The radar sensor is often hidden behind the grille and is impervious to weather. For this reason, radar systems are more common, but both systems are used widely.

In the most technologically advanced vehicles, adaptive cruise control is one in a series of driver-assist systems that work together to allow the vehicle to drive itself. An adaptive cruise control system can’t do that on its own, but it can save you the hassle of setting and resetting your cruise control on an extended trip.

Custom Cruise Control Systems from Mobile Installation

Mobile Installation is your leader in car accessories and systems. We offer cruise control, remote start, interior accessories, audio and video systems, and car security.

No matter where you live in the Twin Cities metro area, come by and visit our store in Brooklyn Park. If you have any questions or are looking for a product, you can also call us at 612-986-3332, or you can message us on our contact page.