Driver assistance systems

As far as the driver assistance systems of the new Audi Q6 e-tron are concerned, Audi provides a wide range of functions that significantly improve everyday driving and road safety for all road users. A first for the Audi Q6 e-tron is the adaptive driving assistant plus. This supports the driver when accelerating, braking, maintaining speed and the set distance from the vehicle in front, as well as with lane guidance. This can increase driving comfort, especially on long journeys. The system uses various sensors to permanently monitor the vehicle's surroundings. These include the radar sensor installed in the front of the vehicle, the front camera, and the ultrasonic sensors. Depending on the region, high-resolution map data and swarm data from other vehicles calculated in the cloud are also used to improve driving behavior. From a fusion of this information, the vehicle calculates the route ahead and guides the vehicle comfortably and in the center of the lane by means of supportive steering interventions. At the same time, the system reacts to vehicles joining the same lane in front and regulates the distance to them. It also anticipates and adapts the vehicle speed to speed limits and situations such as bends, junctions, traffic circles and ramps (highway entrances and exits). In stop-and-go traffic, the system slows the car to a standstill and can automatically set off again depending on how long the vehicle has been stationary. At stop signs, the speed is reduced to comfortably allow the driver to take over the situation. Thanks to the large number of parameters included, the adaptive driving assistant offers the most comfortable driving experience possible across the entire speed range and in traffic jam situations. Functional content may vary depending on country availability and vehicle configuration.

This animation explains the function of different driving assistants in the Audi Q8. This includes the remote park assist plus, which allows for convenient parking even in tight parking spaces and the adaptive cruise control which maintains a preset distance from the traffic ahead.

​There are about 40 driver assistance systems available in the enhanced Audi A8. Some of them – including the Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front safety systems – are standard equipment for the series. Options are clustered into the “Park,” “City,” and “Tour” packages.

With the optional augmented reality head-up display in the Q4 e-tron, Audi is taking a huge step forward in display technology. It reflects important information via the windshield on two separate levels, the status section and the augmented reality (AR) section.

Audi provides numerous driver assist systems for the revised Q2. The Audi pre sense front safety system, which uses radar to monitor traffic in front of the car, comes as standard.

Well versed: the driver assist systems

Equipped with Audi pre sense front, swerve assist and lane departure warning, the A3 Sportback helps prevent accidents with other road users and offers a high level of safety as standard.

The assist systems, which include adaptive cruise control and park assist, are taken from the full-size class. Audi pre sense front (pedestrian and cyclist detection) and lane departure warning are standard.

In addition to the specially adapted suspension, the A6 allroad quattro offers additional comfort features including standard hill descent control and tilt angle assist that allow it to take off-road terrain in its stride.

There have previously been several control units, each evaluating the information they pick up for a defined function. Now for the first time, a central driver assistance controller (zFAS) permanently forms a comprehensive image of the surroundings from the sensor data – for a wide range of assistance functions.

The Q2 sets new standards with the system Audi pre sense front, which is included as standard equipment. Its radar sensor reliably recognizes critical situations involving other vehicles and crossing pedestrians ahead of the vehicle, even when visibility is poor such as in fog. If Audi pre sense front detects a pending collision, it warns the driver according to a graduated concept.

The traffic jam assist can take over steering work in slow-moving traffic on well-built interurban roads at speeds up to 65 km/h (40.4 mph). The system uses the radar and ultrasound sensors as well as the front camera, guiding the car by gently adjusting the steering within system limits. The traffic jam assist orients itself to the lane markings and the other vehicles on the road.

Another function of the ACC, the traffic-jam assist, can take over steering at speeds of up to 65 km/h (40.4 mph) on well-developed roads when traffic is congested. The system uses the radar and ultrasound sensors as well as the front camera, guiding the car by gently adjusting the steering and following the traffic ahead within system limits. In doing so, the traffic-jam assist uses the lane markings and other vehicles on the road for orientation.

In the speed range of 0 to 65 km/h (40.4 mph) the traffic jam assist, another function belonging to the ACC, can also take over the steering on well-paved roads, as long as the traffic is moving slowly. The system uses the radar sensors and the video camera. It guides the car through gentle steering interventions and follows the preceding convoy of vehicles within the system limits. The traffic jam assist orientates itself by the lane markings and the other vehicles on the road.

Another system that is unique in its class is the predictive efficiency assistant, which is available as part of the Tour assistance package. It works in close conjunction with the adaptive cruise control, the navigation system and the camera-based recognition of traffic signs. The preselected speed adapts to the road conditions by itself, e.g. the topography of the route, speed limits and the traffic ahead.

The adaptive cruise control system works in close coordination with the MMI navigation plus, camera-based recognition of traffic signs and the predictive efficiency assistant, another pioneering system from the assistance package Tour. It automatically adjusts the preselected speed to the conditions – the route topography, speed limits and road users ahead.

In collaboration with adaptive cruise control (ACC) and traffic sign recognition, the predictive efficiency assistant adapts the preselected speed to the route and the speed limits. The adaptive cruise control system accelerates and brakes to keep the Q7 at the desired distance from the vehicle ahead.

All of the versions of the new models include the safety system Audi pre sense city as standard equipment. At speeds of up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph), the system scans the road for other vehicles and pedestrians using a windshield-mounted front camera with a range of up to 100 meters (328.1 ft). If there is the threat of a collision, the driver receives a series of warnings, and if necessary the car starts to apply the brakes fully. At speeds up to 40 km/h (24.9 ft), it can fully prevent accidents within the system limits. At higher speeds up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph), warnings and brake intervention can reduce the impact velocity.

At speeds up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph) Audi pre sense city observes the road with respect to other road users (e.g. vehicles and pedestrians). For this purpose, it uses the standard-equipped front camera on the windshield, which can capture events up to a distance of about 100 meters (328.1 ft). On threat of a collision, it warns the driver according to a graduated concept (warning, warning jolt and automatic emergency braking); if necessary, it initiates full deceleration. At speeds up to 40 km/h (24.9 mph) accidents can be avoided completely within the system limits. At higher speeds (up to 85 km/h (52.8 mph)), warnings and brake intervention can reduce the impact velocity.

The turning assist is another Audi innovation that monitors oncoming traffic during left turns (on cars with left-hand drive). It has an operating range between 2 and 10 km/h (1.2 and 6.2 mph). In dangerous situations, it brings the car to a complete stop. The system becomes active in the background as soon as the driver turns on the left turn signal.

The turn assist monitors oncoming traffic when turning left at low speeds. In a dangerous situation, it slows the Q7 to a halt. This intervention keeps the Audi Q7 within its own lane. The system is enabled at speeds of between two and ten km/h (1.2 - 6.2 mph) once the driver operates the turn signal to turn left.

The exit warning is activated when the new Audi A4 and Avant stop moving. If other vehicles are approaching from behind, it warns occupants as they open the doors. The system warns drivers by means of LED fiber optics in the inside door-opening mechanism (contour lighting). In situations that are assessed as dangerous, special high-performance red LEDs blink and light up. The exit warning stays on for approximately three minutes after the ignition is turned off.

The exit warning comes into play once the large SUV has stopped. Should vehicles or bicycles now approach from behind, the system warns the driver and all passengers when they start opening a door. The system uses the LED light guides of the light package in the doors – in a situation identified as hazardous, special high-power LEDs flicker and light up red. The exit warning remains in readiness for about three minutes after the ignition is switched off.

An ideal supplement to the park assist is the cross traffic assist rear. When slowly reversing, such as when exiting a perpendicular parking spot or a narrow driveway, it warns the driver of approaching vehicles it considers to be critical. Notification is staged – visual, acoustic and finally with a jolt of the brakes. The system uses the data from the rear radar sensors.

The rear cross-traffic assist is activated when the parking assist is turned on. When this occurs, drivers who are slowly driving backwards (for example, while leaving a parking spot at right angles to the road) are warned about approaching vehicles in critical range. There are different levels of warnings: visual, acoustic and a short jolt of the brakes. The back radar sensors provide the necessary data.

The cross-traffic assist rear uses the rear radar sensors to warn the driver, if the parking system is enabled, while reversing slowly, as when pulling out of a perpendicular parking spot in front of other vehicles detected as critical threats. The warning occurs in graduated form – visually on the MMI monitor, acoustically and, if necessary, with a jolt.

The park assist is the top-of-the-line solution and can steer the Audi Q2 into parking spaces. While driving at slow speeds, two ultrasonic sensors detect suitable parallel or perpendicular parking spots. The driver just has to engage the proper gear, use the accelerator and the brakes. The park assist backs the compact SUV into the spot.

The Parking assistance system features the park assist (also available separately). With the help of twelve radar sensors, it helps maneuver the car into parking spaces that are parallel or at right angles to the road, which it identifies independently when driving at a moderate speed. Furthermore, it can make its own way out of parking spaces parallel to the road. All the driver has to do is accelerate, shift gears and brake.

The park assist system, which practically automatically steers the new Q7 in parallel and perpendicular parking and pulls out of parallel parking spots by means of twelve ultrasonic sensors. The package also includes the 360 degree cameras. They display different views of the car’s immediate surroundings on the MMI monitor, including a virtual bird’s eye view and 180-degree images of the front and rear. Such views are very helpful with confusingly arranged exits, and in combination with the cross-traffic assist rear.

The lane change assistant Audi side assist is active at speeds of 15 km/h (9.3 mph) and above. It uses two rear-mounted radar sensors with a scanning range of roughly 70 meters (229.7 ft). If a vehicle is located in the blind spot or approaches rapidly, a warning LED in the housing of the respective exterior mirror lights up. If the driver still operates the turn signal, the LED flashes brightly several times in succession.

The emergency assist activates if no reaction on the part of the driver is detected despite warnings from Audi active lane assist. After visual and acoustic warnings plus multiple brake jolts with flashing of the hazard warning lights, the final measure is for the system to autonomously bring the Q2 to a complete stop and activate the parking brake.

If the new A4 allroad quattro is used as a tow vehicle, the optional trailer maneuver assist steers the car-trailer combination backwards in the direction the driver indicates with the rotary/push-button control of the MMI. It also manages turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction and stabilizes the trailer when driving straight ahead.

If the new Audi Q7 is serving as a towing vehicle, the driver can enable the trailer maneuver assist when reversing. The driver then need only shift to R and cautiously accelerate. He can then continuously vary the angle of reverse motion by means of the rotary/push-button control in the MMI. For traveling straight ahead, the driver taps once on the control. The picture from the rear view camera on the MMI monitor contains auxiliary lines as a guide. The trailer maneuver assist turns the steering wheel and directs the trailer onto the selected course in a stable fashion, so that the driver can steer the entire car/trailer combination by means of the rotary/push-button control of the MMI.

The central element of the Audi driver assistance systems is the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, an automatic distance control system. The system, which is available in a number of larger models, regulates the speed and the interval to the vehicle ahead by automatically accelerating and braking in a speed range of 0 to 250 km/h (0 – 155.34 mph).

One of the latest assistance systems from Audi is Audi active lane assist. At speeds above 60 km/h (37.28 mph), it uses a camera mounted in front of the rearview mirror to detect the lane markings. It observes the road to a distance of more than 50 meters (164.04 ft) and a coverage angle of roughly 40 degrees. It delivers 25 high-definition images per second.

The lane change assistant Audi side assist is available in an entire range of Audi models. It monitors the traffic behind the vehicle and warns the driver as necessary prior to critical lane changes. The EuroNCAP safety organization recognized the potential of Audi side assist for preventing accidents and awarded it a prize in fall 2010.

The night vision assistant is an assistance system for the larger model series from Audi. The heart of this system is a thermal imaging camera at the front of the vehicle. It has an angle of view of 24 degrees, and its protective window is cleaned by a separate nozzle and heated when cold. As a far infrared system (FIR), the camera reacts to the heat radiated by objects in the recorded scene. A computer transforms the information from the camera into black-and-white images and displays them on the central display located between the instruments.

Audi offers a variety of different parking systems for its complete model line-up. They use ultrasound, acoustic and optical signals, or a rearview camera whose images are displayed on the on-board monitor. The most convenient solution is the park assist.

Like all assistance systems from Audi, the purpose of the speed limit display is to reduce the burden on the driver. It shows the driver the current maximum permissible speed in the instrument cluster or on the optional head-up display.