Advanced driving made easy: A guide to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)

Indian roads are very unpredictable and many drivers face certain challenges that can result in serious accidents if prompt actions are not taken. This is why, car manufacturers are developing and adding ADAS in vehicles to give drivers extra assistance to help reduce instances of such accidents. In this article, we will briefly explain ADAS in cars along with its types, features, etc.

What is ADAS in cars?

Advanced Driver Assistance System or ADAS refers to technologies that assist drivers with the safe operation of cars. It utilises electronic components, such as cameras, sensors, etc., to detect driver errors and nearby obstacles and respond accordingly, increasing the safety of the car, its occupants and others on the road. It is an active safety feature and differs from passive safety features like seat belts, airbags, etc. Its primary job is to prevent crashes before they occur or lessen their effects. ADAS features can offer assistance:

1. By controlling vehicle functions like braking, steering, speed, etc., to avoid or mitigate crashes.

2. By warning the driver about potential risks on the roads.

3. By adjusting temperature, seat, lighting, etc., to maximise the driver's comfort and convenience.

Types of ADAS technology in four-wheelers

The ADAS technology in cars can be classified into six categories based on their automation level. These categories are:

• Level 0: This is called No Automation, where the driver remains in full control and the ADAS only offers certain warnings and information.

• Level 1: This is called Driver Assistance, where the driver stays in control but the ADAS can control steering or speed under conditions like lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.

• Level 2: This is called Partial Automation, where the driver stays in control but the ADAS can control two functions, steering and speed, under circumstances like highway pilot or traffic jam assistance.

• Level 3: This is called Conditional Automation, where ADAS can control the car in a parking lot or highway but the driver has to keep paying attention and be ready to resume control when required.

• Level 4: This is called High Automation, where ADAS controls most driving cases in complex scenarios like in a city or under bad weather. Though not required, the driver can resume control and it can function as a self-driving vehicle.

• Level 5: This is called Full Automation, where ADAS can control everything without any human input, meaning no driver is needed for this.

Most cars usually come with Level 1-2 ADAS in the current automobile market.

Safety-related ADAS features in cars

Many safety-related ADAS features in cars come in handy on Indian roads. Such as:

1. Lane departure warning: Here, the ADAS alerts the driver or self-corrects steering to get the car back in the lane.

2. Traffic sign recognition: Spots speed and other traffic signs on the road and shows on the dashboard.

3. Blind spot detection: Uses cameras and other sensors to provide information on areas not visible to you.

4. Adaptive cruise control: Self-adjusts the car’s speed and distance per the required traffic conditions.

5. Automatic emergency braking: Detects obstacles and applies brakes to prevent or reduce the impact of crashes when a collision is imminent.

Conclusion

ADAS has been around for decades and is being continuously worked on and perfected to increase road safety and make driving easy. If you value safety and are interested in ADAS features, consider opting for a car that has it implemented from the get-go.