Cruise Control
Feature Introduced:
2005 - 2010
Controls the accelerator to keep a constant speed. Driver is still in charge of braking and steering.
Lane Departure Warning
Feature Introduced:
2005 - 2010
Sounds, vibrates or flashes when the car is drifting out of a lane. It does not control steering. Driver needs to bring the car back into the lane.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Feature Introduced:
2005 - 2010
Helps drivers avoid crashes by reducing loss of control from over-steering. ESC activates individual brakes to bring the car safely back on track.
Blind Spot Warning
Feature Introduced:
2005 - 2010
Informs drivers of vehicle(s) in their blind spots. It may not always detect motorcycles, cyclists or very fast-moving vehicles so drivers should still check manually.
Forward Collision Warning
Feature Introduced:
2005 - 2010
Alerts driver when another vehicle is too close in front. This is a warning only; the driver must brake the vehicle to avoid a collision.
Auto Emergency Braking (AEB)
Feature Introduced:
2010 - 2015
Senses slow or stopped traffic ahead and urgently applies brakes if the driver fails to respond to warning alerts. AEB can’t always prevent a rear end collision but may lessen the severity; cars with AEB have 50% fewer front-to-rear crashes than those without.
Lane Centering Assist
Feature Introduced:
2010 - 2015
A proactive system that automatically keeps the car centered in its lane. May not work when lane lines are faint or covered with snow or dirt.
Lane Keeping Assistance
Feature Introduced:
2010 - 2015
Similar to lane centering assist, except it is reactive. Comes into play once the vehicle begins to drift into another lane. May not work when lane lines are faint or covered with snow or dirt.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Feature Introduced:
2010 - 2015
Adjusts speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. Unlike regular cruise control, if the vehicle in front slows down, adaptive cruise control responds and automatically slows your vehicle. Models differ – some will brake to a stop if the vehicle in front brakes completely. Most will slow the vehicle but rely on the driver to bring the car to a complete stop.
Left Turn Crash
Feature Introduced:
2010 - 2015
Monitors traffic when a driver turns left across traffic at low speeds – used primarily when turning left in a busy intersection. The car will automatically brake if it detects your vehicle is turning left into the path of another car. This feature doesn’t work at high speeds.
Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Support System
Feature Introduced:
2015 - 2020
Automatically speeds up and slows down your vehicle to maintain a following distance relative to the car ahead. It also keeps vehicles centered in the lane. Some vehicles will brake to a stop, while most will only brake to slow down.
Automated Lane-keeping
Feature Introduced:
2015 - 2020
Detects lane markings and gently steers you back into your lane if you begin to drift out of it whereas lane-centering is a proactive system that always keeps the car centered in the lane. Will not work when lane lines are faded or covered with snow or dirt.
Automatic Parallel Parking
Feature Introduced:
2015 - 2020
Helps guide a vehicle into a parallel parking spot. As a vehicle drives alongside parallel parking spots, the car will suggest a viable option. The driver then lets the vehicle guide itself into the spot. Drivers are still responsible for braking and monitoring their environment.
Traffic Jam Assistance Technologies
Feature Introduced:
2020 - 2030
Combines acceleration, braking and steering guidance at speeds under 60 km/h in congested traffic. This feature is currently only available on European roads. Driver must always supervise the system and be ready to take control of the vehicle at any time.
Auto Pilot Technologies
Feature Introduced:
2020 - 2030
Guides the car from on-ramp to off-ramp by automatically making lane changes, navigating highway interchanges and proactively taking exits – at any time drivers can accept or decline the next lane change. Driver must always supervise the system and be ready to take control of the vehicle at any time.
Remote Parking Assistance
Feature Introduced:
2030 - 2040
ehicles will have the ability to drop someone off and drive themselves automatically to an available parking space. Drivers can then order their vehicle to drive back autonomously to a pick-up area. This feature is not yet available but is being worked on by auto manufacturers.
No Human Intervention
Feature Introduced:
2040 - 2050
Autonomous vehicles will be able to drive in any weather or road condition without any human intervention.
