New cruise control system predicts and reacts to lane changes

Based on research of typical European driving styles, Honda’s Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (i-ACC) is said to use a camera and radar to sense the position of other vehicles on the road.

It then applies an algorithm to predict the likelihood of vehicles in neighbouring lanes cutting-in by evaluating relations between multiple vehicles, enabling the equipped vehicle to react suitably.

According to Honda, i-ACC will make its debut this year on the new European CR-V, building upon the traditional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system.

Traditional ACC systems keep a pre-selected longitudinal 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 ACC system reacts later, thereby requiring stronger braking.

Honda said the new i-ACC system is able to compute the likelihood of a cut-in up to five seconds before it occurs, and is designed to react very smoothly so as not to startle the driver, who might not yet be aware of the imminent cut-in.