This page will keep track of current and still-under-dev driver assistance systems and their abbrevations. List is in order from ‘basic’ to ‘advanced’ systems.

ESP > Electronic Stability Program > Successor of ABS, combines ABS, ASR (anti slip regeling) and ERV (elektr. remkracht verdeling) and sometimes TC (traction control) in order to minimize the chances of losing control over the car

DCC > Dynamic Chassis Control > Originally a Volkswagen branded name, it is the designation for the combination of adaptive dampers, sometimes air suspension, gas response, automatic gearbox response, and steering feel. In some cars only a few of these can be adjusted, in that case it is sometimes simply named ‘drive mode settings’.

RSI > Road Sign Information > Uses optics (a camera) to scan for traffic signs in order to display the correct speed limit on driver displays and infotainment. This is different from navigation systems which ‘know’ the max speed because this data is ‘baked’ in the map. RSI is more dynamic because it also knows when a situation is changed recently.

Active High Beam > Technique which uses radar and/or optics in order to scan for opposing traffic in order to automatically switch from high to dipped beam. Available on both Xenon and LED lights. More effectively when using MATRIX LED because then part of the beam can be dipped while the rest of the surroundings are still lid by high beam.

City Safety > ‘Dumb’ variant of ACC which uses radar data to automatically perform an emergency brake when collission is imminent. Basic variant can recognize cars, more advanced systems also work with pedestrians, cyclists, and even large animals.

CTA > Cross Traffic Alert > longer range parking sensors (using radar) in order to see if its safe to drive backwards out of a parking spot when there is no visual

BLIS > Blind Spot Information System > Uses radar sensors in the side mirrors or back to scan for overtaking cars. It lets the driver know via a notification light close to the respective mirror. With the light off, the driver can safely switch lanes without using the mirrors.

LDWS > Lane Departure Warning System > Uses camera sensors in the front (sometimes sides) to scan for the roads lanes. When crossing these without using the indicators, the driver will be alerted via a notification on the infotainment and/or vibration in the steering wheel. Sometimes (but not always!) is LDWS able to correct the car and steer it back into the position where it belongs. If this is the case, the system is sometimes called LDWA.

ACC > Adaptive Cruise Control > Uses a radar and sometimes optical sensors (cameras, sometimes even nightvision) to measure distance to the car driving before you and adjusts gas to remain at the same distance. ACC is sometimes (but not always!) able to completely stop and accelerate again without interfering. Mercedes calls it Distronic.

Park Assist > Can use front/rear parking sensors and sometimes a rear camera to automatically steer the car in the requested spot.

Pilot Assist / Autopilot / Traffic Jam Assist > Uses a combination of radar and optical sensors from some of the other mentioned systems in order to create a ‘smart’ ACC which can keep lanes and therefore steer. Difficult situations like a roundabout are currently off limits for the system but the most advanced variants CAN change lanes automatically when using the indicators. The speed limits in which this system operate differ per manufacturer.

Laserlight > Technique where a clever system of mirrors is used in order to focus the LED light so that it can illuminate further away. BMW exclusive for now.