Is Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control Autonomous Driving?
3 Answers
Full-speed adaptive cruise control is not autonomous driving. It is a system where the vehicle automatically detects vehicles ahead on the road and controls the speed to maintain a safe distance from the preceding vehicle, while steering still requires manual control. It allows the vehicle's cruise control system to adjust speed according to traffic conditions, unlike traditional cruise control which only maintains a constant vehicle speed. During driving, the distance sensor installed at the front of the vehicle continuously scans the road ahead, while the wheel speed sensor collects speed signals. Full-speed adaptive cruise control can free the driver's feet, better alleviate driving pressure, and to some extent improve the vehicle's fuel economy.
As a frequent commuting driver, I often use full-speed adaptive cruise control on highways to pass the time. It automatically adjusts speed to maintain distance and can even start from zero to handle traffic jams, making my hands much more relaxed and reducing fatigue by half. However, it is definitely not autonomous driving—I still need to keep a close eye on the road while using it, as it doesn't handle steering or sudden situations like a bicycle suddenly crossing. If I'm not careful, the risk of accidents increases significantly. Compared to true autonomous systems like Tesla's FSD, ACC is much simpler, only managing acceleration and deceleration without lane-changing or traffic light recognition. I recommend everyone read the manual before trying it, understand its limitations, and not rely too much on it. Safety and regulations should always be the core of driving.
I've been driving for twenty years, witnessing the evolution of automotive technology from mechanical to electronic systems. The full-speed adaptive cruise control is truly a hassle-free assistant—it can follow the car ahead by decelerating and accelerating automatically, making it ideal for long-distance trips. However, it's still just a driving aid and doesn't reach the level of autonomous driving. For instance, it fails in curves or complex intersections, requiring manual takeover. I've compared ACC with traditional cruise control; ACC adds automatic braking functionality, but its core still relies on radar sensing. If the sensors get dirty or the signal is interrupted, it becomes ineffective. Drivers must remain fully attentive at all times and avoid distractions like using mobile phones, as safety comes first. Such assistance systems are convenient for daily use, but don't expect them to handle all road challenges automatically.