Arriving in comfort

People who drive long distances frequently know how tiring that can be. If your concentration slacks and you misjudge the speed of the car ahead, the situation on the road can become stressful. This is exactly what ACC helps avoid: Just set your desired speed and distance from cars ahead, and ACC takes care of the rest. The radar sensor of this comfort system from Bosch adjusts your driving speed to each traffic situation automatically and makes sure your car always keeps the desired distance from the one ahead. That is intelligent and comfortable driving that ensures you arrive at your destination relaxed. At the same time, it lets you concentrate on the essential and devote your attention to the traffic situation.

ACC eases driving
ACC monitors the space ahead of your car with the aid of a radar sensor. The distance, direction and speed of cars in front of you are calculated from the signals reflected. In addition, ACC determines the course of your car on the basis of the current yaw-rate and steering angle and thereby recognizes which car it has to keep its distance from. If a slower car is located in the monitored area, ACC brakes automatically so that the preset distance is maintained. If the area is free again, ACC accelerates automatically to the preset speed.

The driver is in control
Driver wishes always take priority. If you step on the accelerator, the car speeds up as usual. If you take your foot from the gas, ACC automatically returns to the pre-selected speed. To switch off the system, you just press the operating switch or briefly tap your brake pedal. ACC is a comfort system, i.e. the acceleration and braking intensity are deliberately kept moderate. Driving safely remains the responsibility of the driver.

The future
ACC has been manufactured in series at Bosch since 2000. To date, the system is mainly offered as an extra for top and high mid-class cars. But Bosch is continuously making the system more affordable by developing the radar and circuit technology. Soon compact class cars will also be available with ACC.

The current ACC generation operates in a speed range from 30 km/h to 200 km/h. It is suited for use on highways and country roads.

Bosch is developing ACC further to offer drivers even greater comfort. In future, ACC will also be suited for use at speeds below 30 km/h and right down to standstill. This means it will be able to observe the preset distance from the car ahead even at very low speeds. In stop-and-go traffic it can then brake automatically right down to stopping and drive off again afterwards.

In addition, Bosch is developing ACC into a safety feature as part of our “Predictive Safety Systems.” These systems use the traffic situation information from the ACC radar sensor to detect a possible crash in advance and initiate suitable safety measures.