Adaptive cruise control are not yet readily available, but are in progress.

Automotive cruise control was invented by a blind man.  Surprised?  So was I.  But it turns out that modern day cruise control devices were the result of the frequent rides Ralph Teetor took with his lawyer.

One day in 1935, Teetor, a mechanical engineer, finally lost his temper with the uneven driving style of his old friend.  The man would slow down when talking and speed up when listening.  Teeter decided there had to be a way to automatically regulate the speed of a vehicle to produce a smoother riding experience. 

Ten years of trial and error work produced the Controlmatic, the precursor to today's cruise control system.  The device used the rotation of the driveshaft to calculate vehicle speed and adjusted the throttle with the assistance of a solenoid.  It was first mass produced in the 1958 Chrysler Imperial, and Teeter won his place in the Automotive Hall of Fame.  But adaptive cruise control is still lacking in popularity.

Cruise control devices have come a long way those early days.  Instead of being the odd rarity, they have become ubiquitous.  In fact, it would be hard to find a vehicle that didn't have one of these devices installed as standard equipment.  Drivers use them to avoid foot cramps on long trips, and speeding tickets on speed-monitored roadways.

Since its invention, however, there have been two problems with the standard cruise control device.  First, it has to be manually switched on.  Turning the key and starting the engine alone doesn't do it.  Second, the device is not very intelligent.  Its use depends on human intervention to adjust for varying road and traffic conditions.  But, these problems may soon come to an end.

Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Controls (or ACC) are currently being developed to help drivers avoid accidents caused when they either do not pay close attention to road conditions or have difficulty reacting to them quickly. 

These advanced systems start when the ignition switch is turned, so no one forgets to use them.  They come in two main varieties: an Automatic Braking Type and a Dynamic Set Speed Type.  The former uses a radar or laser to force the vehicle to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle directly in front of it.  The latter works in conjunction with the now-well-known global positioning system and a database of the position of speed control signs.

Adaptive Cruise Control systems are, obviously, still in the developmental stage.  But, there are practical advantages to people with disabilities and elderly communities that can not be dismissed.

For many older drivers stress is a leading cause of accidents.  In a recent study by the Automotive Association of America (AAA) nearly half of the respondents agreed that using Adaptive Cruise Control relieves them of stress while driving.  Thirty-eight percent thought that using Adaptive Cruise Control made them a safer driver than using only conventional cruise control.  This makes sense.  Drivers with slower reaction times, or those with mobility challenges, will benefit from the system's ability to anticipate, and compensate for, ever-changing road conditions.

The automotive industry is getting closer to creating a vehicle that everyone, no matter their level of ability, can drive with equal proficiency and safety.  One day soon we might be able to ride in a driverless vehicle with automatic cruise control.  For someone who is blind wouldn't that be a boon?