Decoding the Jargon: Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Making crash testing a standard practice made trucks and cars safer. This is particularly important since roads keep getting busier thereby increasing the risks that come with driving. Airbags, safety belts, and crumple zones are standard. Impact-absorbing padding is used to cover hard surfaces. That’s the notion behind the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). But, what is Advanced Driver Assistance Systems?
Well, ADAS are senior technologies that work by alerting the driver about a hazard or even intervening to prevent or lessen a collision’s severity. Conventional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems can detect objects and perform basic classification, as well as, alert drivers about hazardous conditions on the road. Some of these systems can even stop or slow down a vehicle. This makes ADAS great when it comes to monitoring blind spots, warning about the forward collision, and lane-keep assistance.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Jargons and Their Meanings
Most people find driving in cities with heavy traffic more complicated. That’s because anticipating and watching out for what the other drivers want to do is not easy. Some people even have difficulties navigating through the busy streets or even staying alert to cyclists and pedestrians. As such, modern vehicles come with a wide array of ADAS options. Some of these systems are standard equipment while others are unique.
Here is some the ADAS jargon that you have probably heard about and wondered what they mean.
- Adaptive headlights- These are headlights that adjust to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. For instance, adaptive headlights can adjust to point around the corner while illuminating the path.
- Adaptive cruise control- This feature keeps a constant distance when following another vehicle on the road, whether the driver slows down or speeds up.
- Blindspot detection- A vehicle with this feature alerts a driver whenever there is another vehicle alongside.
- Lane departure prevention and warning- A vehicle with this feature prevents a driver from drifting from a lane, which can happen if a diver tires.
- Front crash prevention- This is a feature that warns a driver whenever they close quickly on the leading vehicle and then applies the brakes when necessary.
- Park assist- This system uses sensors to assist with safe parking. In some vehicles, this system can parallel park automatically without the intervention of the driver.
- Driver drowsiness detection- This is a feature that monitors the steering inputs and driver in some cases to determine whether they need a break.
- Back over protection- This feature employs the rearview camera to ensure that a driver does not hit or run over something behind the car when reversing.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are mainly meant to improve road safety for the driver and other road users. What’s more, they provide information that makes people better drivers. They encourage individuals to become safer drivers via behavior change. They also increase the awareness of drivers.
Benefits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
The automotive industry has different programs going by different names. These programs are all part of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. ADAS plays an important role in reducing vehicle collisions. Road accidents have declined over the past few years due to the improvement of the technology that is meant to ensure road safety.
Here are some of the major benefits of ADAS:
- ADAS helps in reducing road accidents
- Reduced accidents lower the amount of money spent on vehicle repairs and hospital bills
- ADAS enhance road safety for all users
- Fewer accidents reduce the time spent repairing vehicles
- Improved safety on the road reduces the injury risk for company staff
- Some insurance company offer discounts or reduced costs for modern vehicles with ADAS
- Fewer insurance claims improve auto insurance claims
Despite being beneficial, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are not standard on all vehicles. As such, you should be keen when buying a new vehicle to ensure that it comes with the best Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. But, what ADAS should you look out for?
Things to Look For When It Comes To ADAS
Industry jargon can make determining the features or systems to look for in a vehicle difficult. Some of the most common systems to look for when buying a vehicle include:
- Autonomous Emergency Brake- This system adapts the braking rate based on the perceived collision risk to help prevent impact damage.
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution- This works alongside the ABS to vary the force amount that is applied through the brake pedal to the wheels based on the road conditions.
- Adaptive Cruise Control- This system slows down or speeds up the vehicle automatically to maintain a safe distance with the leading vehicle once the driver engages Cruise Control.
- Intelligent Speed Assistance- This system alerts a driver whenever they hit the speed limit.
- Parking Assistance system- This feature includes reversing sensors, parking pilot and reversing cameras.
Most modern vehicles come with these technologies. However, older models do not come with these systems. But, you can have aftermarket solutions installed in your vehicle.
The Bottom Line
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are collision avoidance technologies and driver aids. Some are built-in features that enhance road safety and driving experience. However, you can get aftermarket solutions are installed on vehicles to serve these purposes. The next-generation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems will be more innovative. For instance, they might leverage the connectivity provided by the wireless network to provide a better experience and improved value.
