Active Driver Plus

[Aron Eugine]

Turnassist monitors the road lane with oncoming traffic by means of radar sensors, the front camera and, in certain models, a laser scanner. Monitoring is initiated as soon as the driver sets the turn signal. When driving off from a stop, or during slow driving up to a speed of 10 km/h (6.2 mph), the system can intervene by applying the brakes to prevent the car from colliding with an oncoming vehicle when turning left or right (country-dependent). This brake intervention keeps the vehicle within its own driving lane. The driver is informed of the intervention by an indicator in the instrument cluster.

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) offers relief to drivers especially on long trips and in stop-and-go traffic. It maintains a preset distance to the vehicle ahead by automatically accelerating and braking. The driver can choose from five distance levels and adjust acceleration and control system dynamics with Audi drive select.

The system uses radar sensors and a front camera. They detect vehicles ahead and measure the distance to them. In interplay with S tronic or tiptronic, the system covers the entire speed range from 0 to 250 km/h (155.3 mph). With a manual transmission, it starts at 30 km/h (18.6 mph). When the system is deactivated, the distance indicator shows the distance to the car ahead and warns drivers when they are tailgating. Its operating speed range is 60 km/h (37.3 mph) and above.

The adaptive cruise assist maintains proper speed and following distance via targeted acceleration and braking. The car automatically adapts its speed to the traffic situation and the route, for example at curves and cross-ways. In stop-and-go traffic as well as traffic jam situations, the ACA can bring the car to a complete stop. Depending on the duration of the stop, the car can start automatically again.

Hold assist enables convenient drive-offs when the car is on the usual inclines and descents of street traffic, and it prevents the vehicle from rolling. The system automatically switches over to the electromechanical parking brake when the car is stopped for a longer period of time while hold assist is activated. This ensures that the car will remain stationary even without activation of the parking brake. In conjunction with S tronic, after a stop at a traffic light, for instance, the car drives off as soon as the driver presses the accelerator pedal. The system is activated by pushing a button.

The trailer maneuver assist makes it easier to maneuver in reverse with a trailer. Depending on the operating concept the driver uses the rotary/push-button control or the MMI-display to variably adjust the angle at which the trailer should be backed up. The image from the rear view camera on the monitor shows lines that serve as a guide. Trailer maneuver assist turns the steering wheel and directs the trailer onto the selected course. It allows a driving speed of up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph). If the articulation angle is too large, the system emits a warning, and it brakes in case of an emergency. Depending on the version, either a sensor in the rotating tow bar of the trailer coupling, that senses the angle between towing vehicle and the trailer, or a rearward directed camera serves as the technical basis.

Operating at speeds from 65 km/h (40.4 mph), Audi active lane assist helps the driver keep the vehicle in the driving lane. A camera detects lane lines and the track that the car is following between them. In this process, the camera can distinguish between yellow lines in construction zones and standard white markings. If the car approaches a line without the turn signal being activated, the system helps the driver to steer back into the lane by means of gentle but noticeable interventions in the electromechanical power steering. In the MMI system, the driver sets how early the control intervention should occur. In the case of an early steering intervention point, the system guides the driver towards the middle of the lane by gentle, centering steering interventions. With a late steering intervention point, Audi active lane assist does not intervene until shortly before the detected lane marking might be crossed; then it gives a corrective steering intervention in the proper direction. In addition, the driver may choose to be warned by a vibration of the steering wheel when crossing detected lane markings.

Audi pre sense basic initiates preventive safety measures for occupants as soon as it recognizes a critical driving state. It utilizes information from various vehicle systems to determine this. For instance, it intervenes if the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) sensors detect skidding or hard braking. Then the system pretensions the seat belts of the driver and front passenger electrically to reduce their forward or lateral movements. The side windows and sliding sunroof are automatically closed. In addition, the hazard warning lights are activated to alert following traffic.

Audi pre sense front and Audi pre sense city utilize the data of radar sensors and/or the front camera, depending on the car model, to compute the probability of a collision. Within the limitations of the system, it warns of collision threats and initiates braking at specific vehicle speeds. Vehicles are detected in the driving speed range of up to 250 km/h (155.3 mph), pedestrians up to around 65 km/h (40.4 mph) or 85 km/h (52.8 mph) depending on the model, as well as cyclists, depending on the system.

If a collision is imminent, the system warns the driver with visual, acoustic and haptic warnings based on a multistage warning concept. If necessary, the system provides braking assistance to reduce vehicle speed or initiates a full brake application to avoid the collision under certain circumstances. Actions are also taken to protect occupants. The hazard warning lights are activated, the seat belts are reversibly pretensioned, the seat position is optimized, and the windows and optional panoramic glass sunroof are closed.

Audi pre sense side reacts in the event of a collision from the side. Amongst ohthers it uses the radar sensors of the crossing assist to calculate the probability of an accident involving traffic approaching from the side. The system can detect the threat of side collisions at speeds of up to approx. 60 km/h (37.3 mph) and apply preventative measures to help protect occupants. These include: activating the hazard lights, tensioning the safety belts, optimizing the seating position, and closing windows as well as the optional panoramic glass roof.

In an impending lateral collision at more than 25 km/h (15.5 mph), the suspension actuators of the optional Audi AI active suspension raise the body on the side exposed to the danger by up to 80 millimeters (3.1 in) within half a second. The other vehicle therefore hits the car in an even more impact-resistant zone. The side sills and floor structure accommodate a large portion of the impact forces. Deformation of the cabin and the loads acting on the occupants, above all to the chest and abdomen areas, are reduced by up to 50 percent compared with a lateral collision with no raising of the suspension.

The Audi side assist lane-changing assistant helps the driver to change lanes at driving speeds of 15 km/h (9.3 mph) and faster. It uses two rear-mounted radar sensors with a scanning range of roughly 70 meters (229.7 ft). If the system detects a vehicle located in the blind spot or approaching quickly from the rear, a warning LED is lit in the housing of the relevant exterior mirror. If the driver activates the turn signal anyway, the LED flashes several times in rapid succession.

Exit warning improves safety in city traffic. If the car has come to a stop and other vehicles or bicyclists classified as critical are approaching from the rear, the system warns passengers not to open the doors. The system does this using LED lights in the door panels. In a situation assessed to be hazardous, the LEDs flicker and light red. The LEDs of Audi side assist are also lit in the relevant exterior side mirror. The exit warning remains active for approximately three minutes after the ignition is turned off.

This system is based on the radar sensors of Audi side assist, which monitor the zones behind the vehicle and to the sides at the rear. Depending on the model the exit warning is extended by an additional feature: If the system is active, opening of the electronic door locks is delayed roughly one second.

Collision avoidance assist helps the driver steer around an obstacle in a critical situation. The system uses data from the two radar sensors and the front camera for this purpose. In calculating a suitable evasive maneuver corridor, it takes into account the distance, width and offset of the vehicle driving ahead. Collision avoidance assist is available over a speed range from approx. 30 to 150 km/h (18.6 to 93.2 mph), and it assumes that the driver is actively steering throughout the maneuver. The driver is informed of the intervention by an indicator in the instrument cluster.

The curb warning identifies curbs that pose a risk to the tires or wheels. Prerequisite: The car is moving forward or backward at up to 10 km/h (6.2 mph). If the system detects a critical situation, it alerts the driver to this in the optical parking system display on the MMI monitor. To scan the surroundings the system uses primarily the 360 degree cameras.

Multicollision brake assist automatically brakes the vehicle in the event of an accident, reducing the danger of skidding as well as the risk of further collisions. The function uses the relevant sensors to detect a collision; the severity of the crash and the speed reduction are calculated by the safety computer. If defined thresholds are exceeded, the safety computer sends a corresponding message to the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) control unit to trigger an automatic brake application, taking the system status into account. If the driver accelerates, the vehicle is not automatically braked. The same is true if the ESC, the brake system or the electrical system are not functioning.

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