What is the difference between Volvo's Adaptive Cruise Control and Pilot Assist?
2 Answers
Volvo's Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control have the following differences: 1. Volvo Pilot Assist System: It can be regarded as a higher-level ACC Adaptive Cruise Control system (supporting automatic steering under specific conditions). It possesses more autonomous driving assistance capabilities than ACC (theoretically, Pilot Assist is between SAE autonomous driving levels L2-L3, while ACC is only L2 level). 2. Adaptive Cruise Control System: When the distance to the vehicle ahead becomes too small, the ACC control unit can coordinate with the Anti-lock Braking System and engine control system to apply appropriate braking to the wheels and reduce engine power output, ensuring the vehicle maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
I remember last time driving the new Volvo on the highway, the adaptive cruise control helped me automatically slow down and follow the car ahead while maintaining a safe distance, making the drive quite relaxing. But it only manages speed and distance, not the steering wheel – you still have to control the direction yourself. The Pilot Assist feature is an upgrade: while also maintaining following distance, it automatically steers to keep the car centered in the lane. On highways, whether going through curves or straight sections, you just need to lightly rest your hands on the wheel. However, both are just assists – don't take your hands off the wheel for too long, as the system will remind you. I recommend using Pilot Assist for long trips to save effort, but in rainy or slippery conditions, it's safer to turn it off since road conditions can change quickly.
