LONDON: The world’s first foretelling motor control system capable of detecting and automatically reacts to other drivers “cutting in” to the equipped vehicle’s lane. This system is to introduce by Honda’s Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (i-ACC).
Based on extensive real-world research of typical European driving styles, Honda’s i-ACC uses a camera and radar to sense the position of other vehicles on the road.
It then applies an algorithm to predict the likelihood of vehicles in neighboring lanes cutting-in by evaluating relations between multiple vehicles, enabling the equipped vehicle to react quickly, safely and comfortably.
i-ACC will make its debut this year on the Executive level models of the new European CR-V, building upon the traditional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system.
Traditional ACC systems keep a pre-selected longitudinal speed, which is only reduced for maintaining a safe distance to a car in front.
However, if a vehicle cuts-in from a neighboring lane, the traditional ACC system reacts later so stronger braking is needed.
The new i-ACC system is able to compute the likelihood of a cut-in up to five seconds before it occurs, and is therefore designed to react very smoothly so as not to startle the driver, who might not yet be aware of the imminent cut-in.
In this case the system applies just a mild brake initially, with an icon appearing on the driver display, informing the driver why a slow-down occurs. It then applies a stronger brake to adapt the speed to keep a safe distance.
Dr Marcus Kleinehagenbrock, responsible for i-ACC at Honda R&D Europe, said: “i-ACC takes cruise control systems to a whole new level, offering what we call ‘predictive safety’.
“i-ACC recognizes the side of the road you are driving on whether in the UK or on the continent and automatically detects which neighboring vehicle is the most critical to be aware of at any given moment.”
i-ACC is the result of an in-house research and development project undertaken by an international Honda team in Europe and Japan, specifically designed for European roads. Research into driver behavior to develop the algorithm was carried out across Europe.
