| ADAS, or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, is a | | | | Another example of how ADAS technology is helping |
| term that refers to a slew of various automobile | | | | increase terrain awareness and prepare drivers to |
| technologies, currently in various stages of | | | | deal with the conditions of the road ahead is what is |
| development and implementation, whose purpose is to | | | | known as headlight steering. It is currently being |
| make the driving experience safer and more | | | | implemented by various manufacturers, including BMW |
| enjoyable. | | | | and Mercedes and it is essentially a system that |
| In the United States alone, an average of 119 people | | | | allows headlights to rotate when the car hits a curve, |
| died in car crashes every day in 2005. ADAS | | | | allowing the driver better visibility when making turns. |
| technologies are working to reduce this number, by | | | | The input that signals the headlights to turn comes |
| providing drivers with the ability to perceive the road | | | | from the steering itself, in most cases. Satellite mapping |
| ahead using computerized crash-prevention systems. | | | | and other advanced mapping technology, however, is |
| The goal of ADAS is generally not to create tougher | | | | also being used in some vehicles to allow headlights to |
| cars, but smarter cars so that road accidents can be | | | | turn according to the twists of the road without need |
| avoided. Here are some of the benefits that ADAS | | | | for steering input. |
| provides. | | | | Managing Traffic |
| | | | Another benefit of ADAS is that it helps drivers |
| Terrain Awareness | | | | maneuver through traffic. Adaptive cruise control, or |
| One of the ways in which ADAS is helping drivers be | | | | ACC, for example is a type of ADAS system that |
| safe is by providing them with the tools they need to | | | | uses cameras, lasers and sensors to monitor the |
| be more aware of the terrain around them and ahead | | | | speed and movement of vehicles around you. The |
| of them especially. Mapping companies like Intermap | | | | ACC system then works to automatically adjust the |
| are helping auto manufacturers provide drivers with | | | | speed of your car to match traffic, even steering you |
| accurate, real-time 3D Mapping Program to help them | | | | away from a possible collision. |
| see the conditions of the road before them. | | | | |