Design of the driver interface for autonomous intelligent cruise control

The function of autonomous and intelligent cruise control is to provide automatic control of both vehicle speed and distance in relation to the preceding vehicle, thus increasing the utility of cruise control systems. If a distance sensor is added to a conventional cruise control system then it is possible to add distance keeping to the basic speed control function. This forms the basis for autonomous intelligent cruise control. In practice it has been found that the utility of the system is improved if a limited authority braking system is incorporated. Use can then be made of both throttle and brake actuators to control the distance and relative velocities between a vehicle and the vehicle in front, referred to as the target vehicle