Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an advanced driver-assistance system in vehicles that automatically adjusts the car's speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. It uses sensors such as radar, cameras, or lasers to detect traffic conditions and can slow down, stop, and accelerate the vehicle as needed to keep a safe following gap

. Unlike traditional cruise control, which only maintains a set speed, ACC continuously adapts to traffic flow, enhancing safety and comfort by reducing driver workload on long drives or in heavy traffic. The driver sets a desired speed and a following distance, and the system manages speed adjustments to maintain that gap

. ACC is considered a Level 1 autonomous driving feature and, when combined with lane-centering technologies, can contribute to Level 2 autonomy. It helps prevent rear-end collisions, improves traffic flow, and can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10%

. Some advanced ACC systems also integrate with GPS and traffic sign recognition to adjust speed proactively for curves or speed limit changes, and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and resume driving in traffic jams

. In summary, adaptive cruise control is a smart cruise control system that enhances driving safety and convenience by automatically managing speed and distance relative to other vehicles on the road