AUTOMOTIVE

senz trying out

new cruise control syste

Automaker participating in Prometheus program

MERCEDES-BENZ has developed an experimental cruise
controi system that automatically maintains a sefe follow-
ing distance between one car and the next.

The system, called Autonomous
Intelligent Cruise Control, is being

developed as part of an ongoing .
multi-billion-dollar Europe-wide
traffic control program called
Prometheus (Program for Euro-
pean Traffic with Highest Effi-

ciency and Unprecedented Safety).

Intelligent cruise contro! uses a
combination of video camera, in-
fra-red transmitter, computer and
speed regulator to automatically

_ apply the brakes when the fol-

lowing distance becomes too close,

and automatically accelerates to a
pre-programmed speed when the
‘distance increases beyond a desig-
nated distance.

Like conventional cruise con-
trol, the driver has the option of
overriding or cancelling the
automatic system. :

The major benefit of intelligent
cruise control will be to help
eliminate rear-end collisions
caused by drivers following too
closely.

tt will aiso help to relieve driver
‘stress related to the effort and
concentration required to drive in
heavy traffic.

"Mercedes-Benz has been testing
a 300E sedan equipped with the
system on German public roads.
since June 1991, .

An infra-red transmitter and
receiver are mounted on the hood

FEATURE

V-6 Engine

Air Condioning

Chiome Wheels

2235-15" Tues

AMIEM Couette 8 Speakers

Heated Dual Power Mitrats

Full Size Spare Tite

Limited Stip Dilferestiat

External Spare Tire Cartier
~~ $§_t

Bumper-to-bumper

Majot Components

[tems Covered Under
Major Component?
Powertrain Warranty

Emission Components
W-he. Roadade Assistance

* cheesy?

2

REGENCY NISSAN

NISSAN PATHFINDER XE

PLUS POWER & SPORT
Seanclant

Seandud Cllr

Sanda |
Sandad
Srandad
Standard
Seandird
Standard

Stundard

Transmission
Daversa

Clutch Suspension

Steeringt Brakes
Electronic Control System ;

6 Years{ 100.000 km
Yes Not Available

AUTOMOTION

of the car. As soon as the car is
started, the five diodes of the
transmitter emit infra-red rays
which are reflected off the car in
front and other possible obstacles.
A five-channel receiver/sensor

" then conveys the signals to a com-
puter via high-speed fibre-optic
cables.

. The on-board computer
calculates the distance and relative
speed to the’vehicle in front on
the basis of how long it takes the
signal to return. When the car gets

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‘JEEP’ GRAND CHEROKEE
PLUS POWER & 25D |
lakine 6
Standitd = Ci-lee
Neel
215-15"
I Speakers
Nos Available
Optional -
Not Available
Standant

AN D AR D 7
3 Years/B0.000 kin
6 Year fi G00km
Engine

1 ¥ear/20000 km
7 Vears/115.000 km
Engine
Transmission

Duverrain

5 Years/80.000 kin

‘TOYOTA 4RUNNER

4 Speakers
Not Available

Transtission
Duvet

{oo close, the computer applies the
brakes through appropriate ac-
tuators. When there is no car
ahead, the car accelerates to the
cruise-control speed-setting desig-
nated by the driver.

As with ordinary cruise control,
as soon as the driver touches the
brakes or accelerator, the in-
telligent cruise contro! system is
turned off.

The system can monitor a
distance of up to 150 metres (492
ft.) on a straight stretch of road,
and a minimum distance of five
metres (16.4 ft.).

This makes the current system
useful only on freeways and high-
ways, not in urban traffic where
following distances are much
closer. However, research is al-
ready being conducted on more
precise systems.

intelligent cruise control is a
precursor to an even more ad-
vanced technology called VITA
(Vision Technology Application).

With intelligent cruise control,
the driver is not required to ac-
celerate or brake, but must still
steer. VITA takes complete con-
trol of the car by steering, brak-
ing, accelerating and signalling
automatically.

VITA uses three video cameras
with telephoto and wide-angle
lenses. Two cameras observe the
area in front of the vehicle while
the third looks to the rear. An

See Limitations page 3@

Financing for
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PLUS PEP 631 A

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“Rk AN TY
Years) 0000 kin
5 ears /100 000 kan
_Eagine .

J YeasfO000 ken
TeniManinkm —_|
Lagune
Transmission

Davetian

Clutch Suspension
Sterrinp{Brakey
Electrnaic Contra Sytem

5 Yearsf100.000 kin
Not Available Not Available

5 Yeans/86,000 km

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