DC-Car
How does the automatic braking system work?

The automatic braking system (ABS) is based on the preceding vehicle telling the one behind what it is doing. Real drivers have an advantage over the ABS because they can see past the vehicle in front. For the ABS the driver's eyes are replaced by two infrared detectors. Small infrared transmitters are located near the brake lights.

Let's start driving.
As long as the two vehicles are far enough apart nothing happens. As soon as the rear vehicle gets too close both ABS and a real driver must react. A real driver recognises whether the other vehicle is driving slowly or stationary.
The ABS also recognises this.
Whichever it is, the real driver brakes.
The ABS does too.

If the front vehicle is stationary, the real driver will brake to a stop.
The ABS does that as well.

Then the real drive lights a cigarette.
The ABS doesn't do that.

Back to driving:
The driver drives around a curve and sees a car close ahead. First he is frightened and then begins to brake, perhaps somewhat more sharply than necessary.
The ABS does exactly the same.

We drive on:
The driver catches up with a slower driver, brakes and now follows this car at a distance. Since he is in hurry, he closes up again and again and must then drop back a little.
The ABS behaves the same way.

Traffic jam on the road:
The preceding vehicle creeps slowly along. The car must brake again and again until it is free to speed up again.
The ABS does this too.

Starting at traffic lights:
The vehicle ahead drives off. Our driver is still deep in thought and takes a few moments to notice that it has gone. Then he realises and quickly drives off.
Exactly the same thing happens with the ABS.

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Disclaimer:
This page has been translated, with permission, from a page on Claus Ilchmann’s web site.
The original page, in German, is located here.
This translation is provided with no guarantee of accuracy or liability for errors.
Should you decide to use the DC-Car system then you should check that the functionality meets your needs by reference to the manufacturer’s web site.