Spotting an opening in traffic, my Mercedes-Benz surges forward, then settles in at a 60-mph cruise. When we hit a patch of cars, the S-Class sedan eases off the gas, slowing to 20 mph, and finally brakes to a stop in the rush-hour snarl.
Sounds like another day, another dull commute. Except that, to borrow from the Greyhound slogan, I've been leaving the driving to Mercedes. In 60 minutes at the wheel - including traversing Manhattan's traffic-choked FDR Highway - my right foot never touches the gas or brakes. A flick of a lever, and my computerized copilot does everything but steer.
It's called adaptive cruise control. And while it sounds like something out of "Minority Report," it's available today on a range of luxury models - for an extra charge. The systems scan the road with radar or lasers to maintain a safe gap between cars, while drivers can set the ideal following distance.
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Let the car do the driving
Let The Car Do The Driving
Trend Themes
1. Adaptive Cruise Control - Luxury car brands are offering adaptive cruise control systems that use radar or lasers to maintain a safe distance between cars, marking a trend towards autonomous driving.
2. Autonomous Driving - The development and incorporation of autonomous driving features and technologies into luxury vehicles is revolutionizing the way we commute and offers opportunities for further innovation.
3. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems - Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) include features such as lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking, and are becoming increasingly popular in luxury vehicles.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Car Manufacturing - Luxury car manufacturers are at the forefront of advanced driving technologies and are expected to continue leading the way in the development of autonomous vehicles.
2. Automotive Technology - The development of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving technologies requires extensive research and development in automotive technology.
3. Transportation Services - The incorporation of autonomous driving features in luxury vehicles presents an opportunity for transportation services to explore new business models and services.