Drivers in the UK will soon get the fruits of Honda's major driver-assistance initiative, with an Accord fitted with two automatic control technologies. These handy li'l devices comprise Honda s Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), which includes its Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). LKAS uses a tiny camera in the rearview mirror to monitor the car's lane position, and actually steers the car if it strays from the center. ACC (available in the US's 2006 Acura RL) keeps a set speed and uses radar to judge the distance to other vehicles, slowing the car if it gets too close. Honda's offering the gizmos in its range-topping UK-model Accord 2.4 EX with automatic transmission. It'll cost the equivalent of $46,500 when it goes on sale in March 2006. Honda says all of its models will have ADAS by 2016. Jeez, Honda, don't rush it on our account; it's not as if don't want to start sleep-commuting. (Actually, the system requires a driver to touch the wheel every ten seconds to keep them from nodding off. Ok, then what's the point other than it's freaking cool?) [Thanks to CJ for the tip.]
Honda Builds Accord with 'Autopilot' Tech [Top Tech News]
Related:
More on driver-assistance technologies [internal]