by Historical development of driver assistance technologies
The concept of driver assistance technologies dates back to the late 1980s and early 1990s when some of the initial systems like anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and traction control systems were introduced in premium vehicles. Over the next decade, features like electronic stability control and advanced cruise control started becoming common on mass-market vehicles as the technologies matured. By the late 2000s and early 2010s, more premium brands started offering advanced driver assistance features like lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control etc. as optional packages. However, these initial systems only assisted in certain scenarios without having a comprehensive driver monitoring capability.
Evolution of sensors and computer vision technologies
The real revolution happened in the last 5-7 years as sensor technologies like cameras, radars and lidars started becoming more advanced and affordable for Advance Driver Assistance System Using these exterior and interior sensing capabilities along with advanced computer vision algorithms, modern advance driver assistance systems can now continuously monitor the vehicle, the driver and the surrounding environment. The fused perception from multiple sensors provides a 360-degree awareness around the vehicle. This has enabled the development of advanced driver assistance features like lane centering, traffic jam assist, automated parking etc. which were not feasible until some years ago due to technological limitations.
Levels of driver assistance as defined by SAE International
To standardize and classify the different levels of driving automation capabilities in vehicles, SAE International proposed a taxonomy comprising 6 levels ranging from no automation to full automation. Level 0 refers to basic driver support features like ABS and level 1 covers driver assistance features that are operational only under certain conditions and require constant driver supervision like Adaptive Cruise Control. Level 2 represents partial automation with both steering and acceleration/deceleration support under certain conditions. Examples are Traffic Jam Assist and Highway Assist. Level 3 corresponds to conditional automation where the driver can fully rely on the system in certain environments like highway driving but has to be ready to take control when requested. Level 4 represents high automation capabilities for limited self-driving in geofenced areas. And finally, level 5 refers to full driving automation under all roadway and environmental conditions where the driver is completely out of the driving loop.
Level 2 and 3 advance driver assistance systems in modern vehicles
Most of the mass production vehicles today offer level 2 driving assistance features. Some examples of these systems are:
– Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go: Automatically accelerates and decelerates the vehicle to maintain a set gap from the vehicle ahead. It can bring the car to a complete stop in traffic.
– Lane Centering Assist: Uses camera and radar inputs to center the vehicle in its driving lane and provides steering inputs to navigate curves on highways.
– Traffic Jam Assist: Combines Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering Assist to fully handle acceleration, braking and steering in traffic jams up to 40 kmph. The driver only needs to monitor the surroundings.
– Highway Drive Pilot: Available on luxury brands like Mercedes, this level 3 conditional automation system can take over driving on highways up to 60 kmph under certain geo-fenced conditions. The driver can engage in non-driving activities after confirming availability.
– Intelligent Park Assist: Fully automates the steering to maneuver the vehicle into parallel or perpendicular parking spots while the driver only controls acceleration and braking.
– Blind Spot Monitoring: Warns the driver of vehicles approaching or present in the adjacent lanes using radar sensors.
Many premium OEMs have also demonstrated level 3 to 4 driving prototypes under controlled conditions on highways and specified urban roads. However, the necessary infrastructure and legislations are still being developed before true self-driving becomes commercially viable in the masses.
Benefits of advance driver assistance systems
Some of the major benefits of advanced driver assistance systems are:
– Improved safety: Features like Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking can help avoid accidents in critical situations. Level 2+ systems also reduce driver fatigue on long drives.
– Enhanced convenience: Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, Intelligent Park Assist reduce driver workload in traffic or during parking.
– Fuel efficiency: Eco-friendly driving assisted by ACC and predictive smart cruise control systems also enhance mileage.
– Increased accessibility: Self-driving capabilities in the future will help the elderly and differently-abled to remain independent.
As more advanced sensors, faster computers and new infrastructure come together, driver assistance systems will continue their progression towards true self-driving capabilities over the next 10-15 years through expanded partnerships across the automotive and technology industries. While safety will remain the utmost priority, consumer benefits of mobility and accessibility will also be driving forces behind this technological transformation of personal transportation.
*Note:
1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya, a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
