Everything You Need To Know About Driver Assist
1 Sep 2020
Modern motoring is a million miles away from the simple, straightforward experience of driving a car only a decade ago. The technologies that equip modern vehicles aim to provide the driver and their passengers with unparalleled safety and awareness. These new driver assistance system technologies, whilst advanced, can be rather complex. Because these systems have the ability to save your life, it is important you understand what they are and what they do. In this article, we aim to assure that you do!
Parking Assist
With little to no driver interaction, cars with this function are able to place themselves into the tightest of spots. Generally, this system is reserved for parallel parking, but the system is advancing to encompass vertical parking too.
Also Known As:
Active Park Assist, Park Assist, Automatic Parking Assistant, Remote Smart Parking Assist, the list goes on. Go by the rule that if it says the word ‘parking’, that’s probably what it’s for.
ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)
This is a really effective system for maintaining a constant safe distance away from vehicles ahead of you. This can be set manually to any distance from one to four cars in front. A strain of ACC is to blend the system with the Stop And Go function which allows it to work under very low speeds, as well as the ability to stop and start again. This is incredibly cool, and effective, for commuter traffic.
Also Known As:
Intelligent Cruise Control, Smart Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Assist, Cruise Control, Distronic…
Adaptive Headlights
Headlights that move according to the direction of the steering wheel. Pretty straightforward. Some versions move dynamically as per the direction as your wheels are moving. Meanwhile, other systems work with more independence so that one can headlight will move in the direction of the wheels while the other remains steadfast.
Also Known As:
Dynamic Bending Lights, Active Bending Lights
Automatic High-Beam Headlights
These headlights will switch automatically between high- and low- beam according to oncoming traffic or atmosphere light conditions. Automatic High-Beams Headlights are able to detect when a car is approaching towards you, switch to low-beam, then switch back to high-beam when they have driven past.
Also Known As:
High-Beam Assist, IntelliBeam, Light Assist…
Blind Spot Monitoring
Especially handy for motorway driving where it’s likely you will be switching lanes regularly. This warning system will passively monitor objects in your blind spot and notify you, either via a warning light or an audible alarm.
Also Known As:
Side Assist, Lane Change Alert, Lane-Change Assist, BLIS, Blind-Spot Collision Warning…
Forward Collision Warning
Such a system is able to alert the driver in a situation whereby tan impending forward collision is detected. If such a moment occurs, the driver will be alerted with either a mini light display on the instrument panel or a concession of bleeping noises - anything to get your attention back on the road.
Also Known As:
Frontal Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Assist, City Collision Mitigation…
Automatic Emergency Braking
Going a step further, the car is able to apply the brakes when the driver’s attention is (for some reason)otherwise occupied, or they are not reacting quickly enough. Forward automatic emergency braking is the most common but it is also possible to have it when in reverse, whereby impact is reduced or entirely avoided when it is activated. This technology is developing swiftly to incorporate Pedestrian Detection also.
Also Known As:
Safeguard Plus, Active Brake Assist, Pre-Collision, Autonomous Emergency Braking, City Safety (and many, many more).
Automatic Emergency Steering
The car will influence control of the steering when it detects an oncoming obstruction that the driver has missed.
Also Known As:
Collision Avoidance Assist, Evasion Aid, Evasive Steering Assist
Lane-Departure Warning/Lane-Keeping Assist
If the car finds that you are drifting over lane markings, a warning will kick in (again, bleeps and lights) or even tactile warnings that are physically felt through the steering wheel. A more hands-on version is lane-keep assist; the car will physically steer itself back into the lane if it begins to drift over markings.
Also Known As:
Lane-Departure Alert, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane-Departure Alert With Steering Assist...
Night Vision
Using thermal imagery, your car’s computer is able to detect hard-to-see objects (such as pedestrians or animals) that are approaching in the distance when the dark affects the driver’s vision.
Also Known As:
Night Vision Assist, Night View Assist Plus
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Drivers can use this technology in moments where vision is tricky during reversing movements, for example, backing out of a parking spot. The system is able to provide details of distance, and in which direction objects are moving behind the car.
Also Known As:
Surround Vision, 360-Degree Surround Camera, Multi-View Camera System, Overhead-View Camera, Around-View Monitor,
Surround-View Camera
The car’s camera system is able to stitch together footage collected from multiple external cameras to create a full 360° birds-eye picture of its surroundings. This is becoming so comprehensive that more luxurious brands are creating elaborate 3D panoramic-enabled pictures with enough detail to make Spielberg jealous.
Also Known As:
Surround Vision, Around View Mirror, Panoramic View Monitor, Overhead-View Camera…
Semi-Autonomous Driving Sytems
As we venture ever more deeply into the 2020s, we can expect to see some incredible advancements in the motoring industry. Semi-autonomous represents systems that currently offer intermediate combinations of various driver-assist functions, but this looks to advance rapidly to deliver fully autonomous vehicles (click here to find out more). Such examples are Pilot Assist by Volvo and ProPilot Assist by Nissan.
Access To The Latest System Gadgets
The type of technology discussed in this article is relatively fresh on the scene on brand new vehicles, therefore, access to these systems is through ownership of brand new cars. However, there is a more affordable and tactful way of acquiring access to this type of advanced driving experience and that is through leasing. If you would like to view the best leasing deals on the newest, most superior cars in the market, click here to visit the cars2buy website.
Parking Assist
With little to no driver interaction, cars with this function are able to place themselves into the tightest of spots. Generally, this system is reserved for parallel parking, but the system is advancing to encompass vertical parking too.
Also Known As:
Active Park Assist, Park Assist, Automatic Parking Assistant, Remote Smart Parking Assist, the list goes on. Go by the rule that if it says the word ‘parking’, that’s probably what it’s for.
ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)
This is a really effective system for maintaining a constant safe distance away from vehicles ahead of you. This can be set manually to any distance from one to four cars in front. A strain of ACC is to blend the system with the Stop And Go function which allows it to work under very low speeds, as well as the ability to stop and start again. This is incredibly cool, and effective, for commuter traffic.
Also Known As:
Intelligent Cruise Control, Smart Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise Assist, Cruise Control, Distronic…
Adaptive Headlights
Headlights that move according to the direction of the steering wheel. Pretty straightforward. Some versions move dynamically as per the direction as your wheels are moving. Meanwhile, other systems work with more independence so that one can headlight will move in the direction of the wheels while the other remains steadfast.
Also Known As:
Dynamic Bending Lights, Active Bending Lights
Automatic High-Beam Headlights
These headlights will switch automatically between high- and low- beam according to oncoming traffic or atmosphere light conditions. Automatic High-Beams Headlights are able to detect when a car is approaching towards you, switch to low-beam, then switch back to high-beam when they have driven past.
Also Known As:
High-Beam Assist, IntelliBeam, Light Assist…
Blind Spot Monitoring
Especially handy for motorway driving where it’s likely you will be switching lanes regularly. This warning system will passively monitor objects in your blind spot and notify you, either via a warning light or an audible alarm.
Also Known As:
Side Assist, Lane Change Alert, Lane-Change Assist, BLIS, Blind-Spot Collision Warning…
Forward Collision Warning
Such a system is able to alert the driver in a situation whereby tan impending forward collision is detected. If such a moment occurs, the driver will be alerted with either a mini light display on the instrument panel or a concession of bleeping noises - anything to get your attention back on the road.
Also Known As:
Frontal Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Assist, City Collision Mitigation…
Automatic Emergency Braking
Going a step further, the car is able to apply the brakes when the driver’s attention is (for some reason)otherwise occupied, or they are not reacting quickly enough. Forward automatic emergency braking is the most common but it is also possible to have it when in reverse, whereby impact is reduced or entirely avoided when it is activated. This technology is developing swiftly to incorporate Pedestrian Detection also.
Also Known As:
Safeguard Plus, Active Brake Assist, Pre-Collision, Autonomous Emergency Braking, City Safety (and many, many more).
Automatic Emergency Steering
The car will influence control of the steering when it detects an oncoming obstruction that the driver has missed.
Also Known As:
Collision Avoidance Assist, Evasion Aid, Evasive Steering Assist
Lane-Departure Warning/Lane-Keeping Assist
If the car finds that you are drifting over lane markings, a warning will kick in (again, bleeps and lights) or even tactile warnings that are physically felt through the steering wheel. A more hands-on version is lane-keep assist; the car will physically steer itself back into the lane if it begins to drift over markings.
Also Known As:
Lane-Departure Alert, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane-Departure Alert With Steering Assist...
Night Vision
Using thermal imagery, your car’s computer is able to detect hard-to-see objects (such as pedestrians or animals) that are approaching in the distance when the dark affects the driver’s vision.
Also Known As:
Night Vision Assist, Night View Assist Plus
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Drivers can use this technology in moments where vision is tricky during reversing movements, for example, backing out of a parking spot. The system is able to provide details of distance, and in which direction objects are moving behind the car.
Also Known As:
Surround Vision, 360-Degree Surround Camera, Multi-View Camera System, Overhead-View Camera, Around-View Monitor,
Surround-View Camera
The car’s camera system is able to stitch together footage collected from multiple external cameras to create a full 360° birds-eye picture of its surroundings. This is becoming so comprehensive that more luxurious brands are creating elaborate 3D panoramic-enabled pictures with enough detail to make Spielberg jealous.
Also Known As:
Surround Vision, Around View Mirror, Panoramic View Monitor, Overhead-View Camera…
Semi-Autonomous Driving Sytems
As we venture ever more deeply into the 2020s, we can expect to see some incredible advancements in the motoring industry. Semi-autonomous represents systems that currently offer intermediate combinations of various driver-assist functions, but this looks to advance rapidly to deliver fully autonomous vehicles (click here to find out more). Such examples are Pilot Assist by Volvo and ProPilot Assist by Nissan.
Access To The Latest System Gadgets
The type of technology discussed in this article is relatively fresh on the scene on brand new vehicles, therefore, access to these systems is through ownership of brand new cars. However, there is a more affordable and tactful way of acquiring access to this type of advanced driving experience and that is through leasing. If you would like to view the best leasing deals on the newest, most superior cars in the market, click here to visit the cars2buy website.