Greg Ponesse — May 2, 2006 — Autos
References: cnn
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.
Click here to see 5 cars of the future
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.
Click here to see 5 cars of the future
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.
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