Advanced driver assistance systems are groups of computer-based electronics that assist drivers while driving and parking functions in vehicles. Through a secure human Machine interface, ADAS enhance road and vehicle safety for drivers. Additionally, these electronic devices are designed to improve drivers' awareness, and thus, make the driving experience safer and more enjoyable. The following article is a brief overview of the different types of ADAS, and their features.
ADAS or advanced driver assistance systems come in many forms, such as, GPS enabled units that continuously monitor driving parameters, such as speed and vehicle position. This information is then fed into a central display, which show various road and weather conditions, and other factors that affect driving safety, such as vehicle deformation, bumps and obstructions, and even the presence of hazards, on the road. These safety-related computerized displays ensure that drivers always have the latest road condition information. Also, these devices are usually integrated with other technologies such as, LATCH and OPDS.
Another type of ADAS is Cruise Control Assist. This is particularly useful for seniors, who may not be able to respond quickly enough to emergencies when the vehicle in front is making a turn or lane change, and may not be able to take evasive action in time. Cruise control assists seniors in safely controlling the vehicle in accordance with its advanced driver assistance systems programming and prevents unnecessary stress on the senior, who may become less mobile due to the need to remain in the seat. Additionally, cruise control reduces passenger stress and minimizes injuries to passengers.
The third type of safety-related advanced driver assistance systems is Natal Traffic Condition Recognition, or NTAC. This method of recognizing and tracking driver state during in-vehicle automation is based on the principle of neural networks. Neuro-networks are characterized by large collections of interrelated brain cells. This enables these brain cells to rapidly recognize the actions of single neurons and to associate those behaviors with the particular state they're in. Using this technique, the system is able to quickly and accurately detect and prevent many types of automobile accidents at the wheel.
One example of a system using this concept is automatic emergency braking. The AECs use three types of sensors to determine if the vehicle is in any danger: The vehicle's brakes, the steering wheel and the engine. When the vehicle is moved by another vehicle, one of the AEC sensors will sense it through its sensors. When the vehicle doesn't stop within a certain distance (the emergency braking distance), the system will activate the auto brake system.
This system uses a further modified form of the neural network principle. The AECs now also have input devices that can detect the presence of additional drivers (i.e. through the installation of a steering wheel mounted display). This allows the system to determine whether to intervene or not. In addition, AECs can also detect a car starting to drive out of range of its parking area. And, through the use of its foot sensors, it is able to determine if the driver is within the driver's blind spot.
Other new features include the use of LIDAR for its vehicle blind spot detection. LIDAR, or Low-Lipid Laser Acoustic Removal, is a revolutionary low-cost technology capable of removing fog, mist, smoke, and carbon monoxide from the driver's eyes. Other benefits of this technology includes reducing the effects of tarsus, also known as jumping mirrors, which can cause a vehicle to move erratically. This feature also eliminates the need for backup cameras. This is just one example of the advanced driver assistance features being put to use on today's highways.
The most important advancements in these technologies, however, have nothing to do with the prevention of accidents and everything to do with preventing injuries and deaths in unfortunate accidents. Many insurance companies are now requiring drivers to have active safety systems in their cars. They are doing so to protect themselves, their passengers, and other drivers from the most common forms of accidents involving vehicles: head-on collisions, accidents involving multiple vehicles, and pedestrian accidents. If drivers do not have the advanced driver assistance features already installed in their cars, they will soon have to purchase them.
