Autonomous cruise control (ACC; also called adaptive cruise control, radar cruis

e control, or traffic-aware cruise control) is an optional cruise control system

for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a sa
fe distance from vehicles ahead.
Control is based on sensor information from on-board sensors. (No existing syste
m makes use of satellite or roadside infrastructures nor of cooperative support
from other vehicles.) Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) further extends
the automation of navigation by using information gathered from fixed infrastru
cture such as satellites and roadside beacons, or mobile infrastructure such as
reflectors or transmitters on the back of other vehicles.[citation needed]
Such systems may use a radar or laser sensor or a dual video camera setup allowi
ng the vehicle to brake when it detects the car is approaching another vehicle a
head, then accelerate when traffic allows.
ACC technology is widely regarded as a key component of any future generations o
f intelligent cars. They impact driver safety and convenience as well as increas
ing capacity of roads by maintaining optimal separation between vehicles and red
ucing driver errors.
Laser-based systems do not detect and track vehicles in adverse weather conditio
ns nor do they reliably track dirty (and therefore non-reflective) vehicles. Las
er-based sensors must be exposed, the sensor (a fairly large black box) is typic
ally found in the lower grille, offset to one side.
Radar-based sensors can be hidden behind plastic fascias; however, the fascias m
ay look different from a vehicle without the feature. For example, Mercedes-Benz
packages the radar behind the upper grille in the center and behind a solid pla
stic panel that has painted slats to simulate the look of the rest of the grille
.
Single radar systems are the most common. Systems involving multiple sensors use
either two similar hardware sensors like the 2010 Audi A8[1] or the 2010 Volksw
agen Touareg,[2] or one central long range radar coupled with two short radar se
nsors placed on the corners of the vehicle like the BMW 5 and 6 series.[3]
A more recent development is the binocular computer vision system, such as that
introduced to the US market in model year 2013 by Subaru. These systems have fro
nt-facing video cameras mounted on either side of the rear view mirror and use d
igital processing to extract depth information from the parallax between the two
cameras' views.
Systems with multiple sensors can practice sensor fusion to integrate the data f
rom to improve safety and/or driving experience. GPS data can inform the system
of geographic features such as a freeway offramp. A camera system could notice d
river behavior such as brake lights and/or a turn signal. This could allow a fol
lowing car to interpret a turn signal by an exit as not requiring the following
car to slow down, as the leading car will exit.[4] Multi-sensor systems could al
so take note of traffic signs/signals and not, e.g., violate a red light while f
ollowing a vehicle that crossed before the signal changed.
Predict systems modify speed based on predictions of other vehicles' behavior. S
uch systems can make earlier, more moderate adjustments to the predicted behavio
r, improving safety and passenger comfort. One example is to predict the likelih
ood of a vehicle in a neighbouring lane moving in front of the controlled vehicl
e. One system predicts a lane change up to five seconds before it occurs.[5]
1992: Mitsubishi was the first to offer a Lidar-based distance detection system
on the Japanese market with its Debonair. Marketed as Distance Warning, this ear
ly system warns the driver, without influencing throttle, brakes or gearshifting
.[6][7]
1995: Mitsubishi Diamante introduced laser Preview Distance Control. This early
system controlled speed through throttle control and downshifting, not by applyi
ng the brakes.[6][8]
1997: Toyota offered a "laser adaptive cruise control" (lidar) system on the Jap
anese market Celsior.[9] It controlled speed through throttle control and downsh
ifting, not by applying the brakes.
1999: Mercedes introduced Distronic, the first radar-assisted ACC[citation neede
d], on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) [10][11] and the CL-Class.[12]
1999: Jaguar began offering a radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control system on the
Jaguar XK (X100).[13]
1999: Nissan introduced laser (lidar) Adaptive Cruise Control on the Japanese ma
rket Nissan Cima.[14]
2000: BMW introduced radar Active Cruise Control in Europe on the BMW 7 Series -
E38.[15]
2000: The Lexus division of Toyota was the first to bring laser ACC to the US ma
rket in late 2000, with the LS 430's Dynamic Laser Cruise Control system.[16]
2000: Toyota further refined their laser ACC system by adding "brake control", t
hat also applies brakes.[9]
2001: Infiniti introduced laser Intelligent Cruise Control on the 2002 Infiniti
Q45 Third generation F50 and 2002 Infiniti QX4.
2001: Renault introduced Adaptive Cruise Control on the Renault Vel Satis[17] (s
upplied by Bosch[18])
2002: Lancia introduced radar adaptive cruise control (by Bosch) on the Lancia T
hesis[19]
2002: Volkswagen introduced radar ACC, manufactured by Autocruise (now TRW), on
the Volkswagen Phaeton.
2002: Audi introduced radar Adaptive cruise control (Autocruise) on the Audi A8
in late 2002
2003: Cadillac introduced radar ACC on the Cadillac XLR.[20]
2003: Toyota shifted from laser (lidar) to radar ACC technology on the Celsior.[
9] The first Lexus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and a radar-guided pre-collision
system appeared on the Lexus LS(XF30) US market facelift.[21]
2004: Toyota added "low-speed tracking mode" to the radar ACC on the Crown Majes
ta.[9] The low-speed speed tracking mode was a second mode that would warn the d
river and provide braking if the car ahead stopped; it could stop the car, but w
ould then deactivate.[22]
2005: Wikispeedia.org demonstrated a cruise control addon which slowed in speed
zones. Another was built by Matt Despain in Salt Lake City and Wikispeedia.org w
as born. [23]
2005: In the United States, Acura first introduced radar ACC integrated with a C
ollision avoidance system (Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)) in the mo
del year 2006 Acura RL.[24]
2005: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W221) refined the Distronic system to completely ha
lt the car if necessary (now called "Distronic Plus" on E-Class and most Mercede
s sedans. In an episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson[citation needed] demonstrat
ed the effectiveness of the cruise control system in the S-class by coming to a
complete halt from motorway speeds to a round-about and getting out, without tou
ching the pedals.
2006: Volkswagen Passat B6 introduced ACC. They use radar from Autocruise and TR
W, range of speed for ACC 30-210 km/h. Supported additional function AWV1 and AW
V2 to prevent collision, it used the brake system.
2006: Audi introduced Full speed range ACC plus on the Audi Q7. It had low-speed
mode, warns the driver of a potential collision, and prepare emergency braking
as needed.[25] The system supplied by Bosch was available in the 2008 Audi A8, t
he Audi Q5, 2009 Audi A6 and the new 2010 Audi A8. The Audi A4 was available wit
h an older version of the ACC that did not stop the car completely.
2006: Nissan introduced Intelligent Cruise Control with DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST
on Nissan Fuga.[26] It pushes the gas pedal against the foot when the navigation
 system observes an unsafe speed. If the Autonomous cruise control system is use
d, the Distance Control Assistance reduced speed automatically, and warned the d
river that with an audible bell sound.
2006: September 2006 Toyota introduced its "all-speed tracking function" for the
Lexus LS 460.[9] This radar-assisted system maintained continuous control from
speeds of 0 km/h to 100 km/h and is designed to work under stop/go situations su
ch as highway traffic congestion.[27]
2007: BMW introduced full-speed Active Cruise Control Stop-and-Go on the BMW 5 S
eries (E60).[28]
2008: Lincoln introduced radar adaptive cruise control on the 2009 Lincoln MKS.
2008: SsangYong Motor Company introduced radar Active Cruise Control on the Ssan
gYong Chairman[29]
2008: Volkswagen Passat CC, B6 and Touareg GP. They update current ACC system. R
ange of speed for ACC 30-210 km/h, but now it support full auto stop (follow to
stop). Added Front Assist function to prevent collision and it work separately o
f ACC. But Front Assist can't brake automaticly, only increases the pressure in
the brake system and warns the driver.
2008: Volkswagen Golf 6 introduce ACC with lidar.
2009: Hyundai introduced radar Adaptive cruise control on Hyundai Equus in Korea
n market.
2009: ACC and CMBS also became available as optional features in the model year
the 2010 Acura MDX[30] Mid Model Change (MMC) and the newly introduced model yea
r 2010 Acura ZDX.[31]
2010: Audi world first GPS-guided radar ACC on Audi A8#D4[4]
2010: Volkswagen Passat B7, CC. Next update of ACC and updated Front Assist. Int
roduced emergency braking, named "City". Car could brake automatically to preven
t collision. Speed range for ACC 30-210 km/h with support full auto stop.
2010: Jeep introduced Adaptive Cruise Control on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee[32
]
2013: Mercedes introduced DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist (traffic jam assis
t) on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)[33]
2013: BMW introduced Active Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assistant.[34]
2014: Chrysler introduced full speed range radar Adaptive Cruise Control with St
op+ on the 2015 Chrysler 200.
2014: Tesla introduced autopilot feature to Model S cars, enabling semi-autonomo
us cruise control.[35][36][37]
2015: Ford introduced first pickup truck with Adaptive Cruise Control on the 201
5 Ford F150
2015: Honda introduced its European CR-V 2015 with predictive cruise control.[5]