Filed under: Safety, Tech, Infiniti, Nissan
Nissan unveils navigation-enabled cruise control
Click the image above for a gallery of detailed shots.
Radar-based cruise control systems are quickly becoming par for the luxury course, but Nissan is upping the ante with a new setup that integrates the on-board navigation system to adjust vehicle speed. The system will grab route information from the sat nav, anticipating curves, and then adjust speed for the corner and then resume acceleration once the turn is complete.
The Distance Control Assist feature will also make sure that drivers are aware of an impending disaster, even with their foot on the accelerator, by pushing the gas pedal against the driver's foot. If the system detects things are going to go sour quickly, it will sound off an audio warning and display a message telling the driver to hit the brakes.
This new navigation-based system is yet another attempt at removing the driver from the equation, something that's met with a fair share of skepticism around Autoblog HQ. We're more content to do the driving ourselves and know full well that systems like this, although touted as a safer means of travel, will inevitably result in more driver inattention as motorists rely on the car to do their duties for them. Although, they said the same thing when cruise control first appeared on the scene, too.
Nissan's full press release is after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE
NISSAN DEBUTS WORLD'S FIRST DISTANCE CONTROL ASSIST AND NAVIGATION-ENABLED INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL
- New Technologies Available on Fuga in December -
TOKYO (Dec. 13, 2007) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd will introduce two pioneering technologies with its new Fuga, set for release in Japan this month – the world's first Distance Control Assist and navigation-enabled Intelligent Cruise Control systems.
Nissan's pioneering Distance Control Assist system helps control the distance between two vehicles under various traffic conditions, from congested urban roads to high-speed expressways. The improved Intelligent Cruise Control system integrates route-information via the on-board navigation system to monitor the vehicle's cruising speed to match actual road e.g. the sharpness of the next curve on the road.
1. World's First Distance Control Assist
The Distance Control Assist system determines the following distance of the driver's vehicle, as well as the relative speed of both vehicles, using a radar sensor installed in the front bumper.
When a vehicle approaches close to the vehicle ahead and the accelerator is not engaged, the system activates the brakes to decelerate smoothly. Alternatively, if the accelerator is engaged, the acceleration actuator is activated through a "push back" mechanism to help the driver to release the pedal.
In a situation where the vehicle ahead slows down or brakes, requiring the driver to respond by braking, the system instantly alerts the driver through message and audio warnings. Simultaneously, the system pushes back the accelerator to assist the driver to switch to the brakes.
2. Enhanced Intelligent Cruise Control
The Intelligent Cruise Control system operates using information from a radar sensor installed in the front bumper. When following a vehicle ahead, the system controls following distance appropriately, using the driver's preset speed as the maximum limit. With no vehicle ahead, the vehicle cruises at the constant driver preset speed.
The new system features several pioneering technologies:
Full-speed range following function
Previous systems functioned only within the range of approximately 5-100 kilometres per hour, whereas the new system functions across the full-speed range, starting from zero. The system is capable of activating the brakes in order to stop the vehicle under certain traffic conditions.
World's first use of navigation map data
Utilising route-information fed through the on-board navigation system, the Intelligent Cruise Control system can modulate the vehicle-speed in anticipation of the next curve on the road. When approaching a curve, the system gradually decelerates, and as it clears the turn onto a straight road, the system seamlessly reverts to its original speed.
When both the Distance Control Assist and Intelligent Cruise Control are installed, the driver can select either function setting, using a wheel-mounted switch according to different driving conditions.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paul34 1:38PM (12/14/2007)
Hmm... I guess I am the only one who tends to just leave cruise control ON at 65 MPH, regardless of the severity of the corner, or on a 35 MPH offramp. >:)
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Jason 1:41PM (12/14/2007)
If your going to use cruise control anyway, this is helpful, i guess. I'd still prefer to be in control, and I'm always wary of systems malfunctioning.
On the other hand, I'm down with advancements in technology, maybe this will lead to cars that drive really old people around or people with disabilities.
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BILL 1:42PM (12/14/2007)
I am just not prepared at this point to trust my sorry rearend to electronic systems while "driving" down the road. I want to be in control. I don't spend my driving time talking on a cell phone, eating, drinking, or whatever else dumb behavior that passes today for paying attention to driving. On the other hand it is the perfect system for many of our driving population because the actual process of driving is a major imposition on their "valuable" time. I would rather those folks ride a bus or train and not be wandering around public roads in cars controlling themselves electronically. Who do I sue after a wreck? The "driver" or the manufacturer of the electronic driver aid?
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seoultrain 1:44PM (12/14/2007)
I just want a cruise control that doesn't floor the throttle when you need to accelerate. If I'm in cruise control, there's no reason why I need to get that extra 5 mph RIGHT NOW.
Also, the curves on any road where it's appropriate to use cruise control (pretty much only highways) should be big enough that you can handle it at any reasonable speed. I guess there are at least a few badly planned roads out there.
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YouFaceTheTick 2:11PM (12/14/2007)
Why adjust speed for a corner? On the freeway I maintain 75-80 at all times, corners, freeway exchanges, etc do not necessitate braking. Often wonder why people approach a cloverleaf at 80 and then slow to 50 for the exchange, before accelerating to 80 again. Just keep it at 80. Shrug.
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Jay 2:32PM (12/14/2007)
Agreed! I can't see myself using cruise control in a situation that will require me decelerating for a corner.. and if this system will decelerate the car at highway speeds.. when all the other cars are keeping the same speed.. they that's BAD!
Speed Varied cruise control is very helpful with the daily commute, but i would love to see them take BMW's approach to allow the vehical to automatically come to a full stop when the traffic ahead is stopped, and automtically start going again.
Also, they need a REAR cruise control sensor for those left lane diks here in NJ!! Get the SLOW MO FO's out of the left lane before we run you off the road.
Ligor 3:31PM (12/14/2007)
think about it,
if you have your car on cruise at 80mph and turn, you need to apply gas to keep it at 80mpr, this system I bet will give it gas just slightly ahead so you maintain 80, while current cruise control systems are reactive and you drop 2mph before they give the car gas, instead of proactive like this new nissan one.
Andrew 2:23PM (12/14/2007)
Are NAV systems really accurate enough to slow you down for corners? I thought they were only within 20-30 feet. I like the cruise control that keeps a distance from the car in front of you, but this is too much. Now, if they could get one that warned you about speed traps, that would be nice.
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ian 2:41PM (12/14/2007)
For crying out loud, why would an automaker actually discourage drivers from concentrating on the road while driving?
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sledge 2:48PM (12/14/2007)
While I love driving, there are definitely days I would rather get in a car and have it drive me home (long drives on highways, when I am tired, etc). I think I am actually looking forward to the day we will have this capability.
Also, if autopilot can fly an aircraft, I don't see why it couldn't drive a car. If anything it will make the roads safer by making sure people aren't driving when they shouldn't.
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seoultrain 3:04PM (12/14/2007)
All this would do is make another excuse for drives TO drive when they shouldn't. Ian's comment is right on the mark.
The aircraft analogy doesn't quite work, since cars are restricted to roads and there is a ton more traffic on the ground than in the air. Airplanes fly pretty much in empty space, so autopilot on a car is more complicated, and if incorrectly done, more dangerous. I think lawsuits are the biggest reason why there isn't a true automatic driving system yet. Crashes that would've happened anyway will be blamed on the systems, and lawyers will be yelling and screaming for years.
Toy Yoda 4:00PM (12/14/2007)
Same here. I'd rather a car drive itself when I'm commuting to and from work. The extra time on the road, I can spend sleeping or reading a book, which is what I miss when I was able to take public transportation.
Toy Yoda 4:03PM (12/14/2007)
Plus, if they could ever perfect the technology of a self-driving car, then they might be able to get rid of traffic lights and have cars self coordinate; no longer stop and go, but slow and steady, you might save gas and cut commute time. To dream. :)
Luis 3:22PM (12/14/2007)
As if drivers weren't distracted enough...I fear some will think that they'll be able to talk on the phone, do paperwork, use their laptop and have breakfast in their car; but it's ok because they're in cruise control! What happens when someone cuts in front of you...hmmmm
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Rick 4:32PM (12/14/2007)
NAV assisted? So all of the those idiots that blindly follow NAV directions against obvious common sence will now crash into canals and small alley ways without their foot on the gas? Sweet.
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Khanh 12:49AM (12/15/2007)
Kinda makes me think about Manual vs. Automatic trannies. I think, in my opinion, that the more involved you are with your car, the better driver you can become. This system won't work very well, because I highly doubt that a sat-nav will be able to anticipate a deer crossing the road.
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Atropos 1:01AM (12/15/2007)
They already make vehicles that cater to the sort of person interested in this.
Buses.
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steve K 11:12AM (12/26/2007)
I was wondering what would happen if I am in the fast lane,and there are cars in the middle or slow lanes going much slower ahead. If there is a left turn in the road,these cars would be directly ahead of me causing me to slow down. Also if Im in the middle lane and someone cuts me off say 50 yards ahead,that also would slow me down,when I would normally want to go into the fast lane and get around him. And what if there is an oject in the middle of the road like a bag of leaves or an empty box? I would normally take a chance and drive over it,rather than slam on the brakes,especially in slippery conditions.
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