What is Cruise Control System – Your long tour co-pilot

Cruise control is a system which helps relaxing the feet of long tour drivers and help their legs rest for some time while driving.
Let’s understand the working of cruise control.

What is Cruise Control System

Cruise control is driver assistance system which maintains a constant speed of vehicle without pressing accelerator padel at a speed greater than 30kmph and less than 120kmph and in the same gear.

Cruise Control Working

• At certain speed greater than 30kmph, if cruise is turned on vehicle will keep itself in the same speed unless and until driver press clutch or brake.
• Driver can Increase the speed of vehicle using + button on steering controls or using accelerator pedal and decrease the vehicle speed using – button on steering controls.
• Driver can turn it off by pressing turn of button and by pressing clutch or brake.

Basic Functionality

1. Set Speed: The driver sets the desired speed after minimum 30kmph using controls on the steering wheel for easier access for driver.
2. Disengagement: It automatically disengages/cancelled when the driver presses the clutch or brake pedal and starts after pressing start button and maintains the previously set speed automatically

Components

1. Control Module: Processes inputs from the driver from steering buttons and vehicle sensors.
2. Actuator: Adjusts the flow of fuel and power to the engine based on signals from the control module.
3. Sensors: Monitor vehicle speed and other parameters continuously to avoid any consequences.

Types of Cruise Control

1. Conventional Cruise Control:
   • Maintains a constant speed set by the driver while driving at certain speed and speed can be increased or decreased using controls on steering by the driver.
   • Requires driver intervention for changes in heavy or light traffic or different road conditions.
2. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
   • Uses radar or cameras fitted on car body to monitor the traffic or obstacle ahead.
   • Automatically adjusts the speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and maintain speed as the vehicle ahead.
3. Semi-Autonomous Cruise Control
   • Combines ACC with lane-keeping assistance by using different sensors connected on body of car
   • It can handle more complex driving scenarios, such as stop-and-go traffic.

Requires driver intervention for changes in heavy or light traffic or different road conditions

Other post links

Adaptive Cruise Control

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Mahindra XEV 9E and Mahindra BE 6E