What system uses a camera and radar to automatically maintain a set distance from the car ahead?

Adaptive cruise control uses sensors such as cameras and radar to maintain a set distance from the car ahead.

The driver selects a cruising speed and following gap. If traffic slows, the system can reduce engine power and often apply the brakes; when the lane clears, it can accelerate toward the selected speed. The exact operating range differs among vehicles, and some systems include stop-and-go capability.

Adaptive cruise control developed during the 1990s from conventional cruise control. Mitsubishi offered an early lidar-based distance-warning system on the 1992 Debonair, while Mercedes introduced the radar-assisted Distronic system on the 1999 S-Class. Modern systems may combine radar’s range measurement with a camera’s ability to classify vehicles and road scenes.

It is easy to confuse ACC with ordinary cruise control, which maintains speed without automatically responding to traffic. ACC controls longitudinal motion only; it does not necessarily steer, detect every hazard, or make the vehicle autonomous. Drivers must remain alert and supervise the system.