It was in news for quite a long time that Google is manufacturing a driverless car. Apart from this most awaited car, there are semi- or partially-automatic cars that are already in the market for sale. Engineers and automobile experts are working on the semi-automatic driving technology, so that we can keep our hands off the steering, and feet off the pedals. Also, there will be a number of other amazing automated features in these cars. You will notice the advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, Mechatronics (a mix of mechanical and electrical engineering) and multi-agent system that will assist you while driving.
Here are some automation applications that semi-automatic vehicles are equipped with.
- Vehicle Tracking System or GPS: This is a device that can locate your car at any time. It connects to a central server that tracks and collects the data as per the location of your car. A GPS device is generally used for live information, security reasons and tracking.
- Electronic Brake-Force Distribution: Also known as EDB, it is combined with ABS in many cars to assist the driver with brakes. The braking force and pressure is equally distributed between all the wheels of your car, keeping in mind the constraints like road conditions and speed etc.
- Anti-lock Braking System: You can also call this system as ABS in short. It is a system that is a safety feature to prevent the wheel lock-up, while driving it will manage the traction contact between tires and road surface. This device controls your car wheels when you stop on slippery and dry surfaces. ABS works as an emergency braking system.
- Traction Control System: It saves the tyres from losing the grip with the road surface. A traction control system or TCS becomes active the moment engine torque and throttle input start varying according to the condition of the roads or driving.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC is also known as a dynamic stability control system. This system helps in improving your car’s stability at the time of braking by detecting loss of traction and steering control.
- Four-wheel Drive: You can call it AWD as well. All the four wheels of your car are powered by the engine equally, offering you driving pleasure. The 4*4 drive set-up combines with an anti-slip technology that allows the rotation of the front and rear drive shafts. It also improves the traction of wheels from poor to better one.
