Honda develops predictive cruise control system

Honda has developed the world’s first predictive cruise control system known as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (i-ACC). The system can foresee and automatically react to other vehicles butting into the same lane as the Honda.

The system is based on extensive real-world research of typical European driving styles. The i-ACC then uses a camera and radar to sense the position of other vehicles on the road, and run algorithms to predict the likelihood of them cutting lanes. This allows the driver in the Hondato react quickly, safely and comfortably. i-ACC will debut on the new CR-V that will come to international markets this year.

This new Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control is based on traditional cruise control systems. Traditional systems keep a preselected straightline velocity, which is only reduced for maintaining a safe distance to a car in front. However, if a vehicle cuts-in from a neighbouring lane, the traditional system reacts later and requires harder braking, but the i-ACC system is able to forsee cutting-in up to five seconds before it occurs, and is therefore designed to react very smoothly so as not to startle the driver. 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 proceeds to apply a stronger brake to adapt the velocity to keep a safe distance.