(R)EVOLUTION - LES ADAS – L’électronique embarquée au service du conducteur

ADAS – On-board electronics at the service of the driver

The arrival of on-board electronics in the 1970s marked a major turning point in the history of the automobile. Until then, safety had relied mainly on mechanical innovations: better brakes, more efficient tyres, reinforced structures. But with electronics, a new era dawned, that of the first driver assistance systems, now known by the acronym ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).

The first devices seem almost simple compared to those of today, but they laid the foundations for a revolution. Cruise control, for example, was introduced to offer unprecedented comfort on long journeys, while indirectly contributing to safety by stabilising speed. At the same time, brake assist systems were introduced, increasing braking power in emergencies and reducing stopping distances. The first devices designed to alert drivers when they unintentionally crossed a road marking also appeared, heralding the advent of lane departure warning systems.

Over the following decades, these innovations were refined through the integration of sensors, radars and cameras. Vehicles are now able to perceive their immediate environment and react accordingly. Automatic emergency braking has become a reality: when an obstacle is detected, the vehicle can activate the brakes itself to avoid or mitigate a collision. Parking assistance, once unimaginable, allows drivers to manoeuvre with remarkable precision and ease, reducing the stress associated with tight spaces. Lane keeping assistance helps drivers stay centred in their lane, helping to prevent one of the most common causes of motorway accidents: unintentional lane departure.

Gradually, ADAS is becoming one of the pillars of active safety, i.e. the set of technologies that aim to prevent accidents rather than limit their consequences. This philosophy is changing the way cars are designed: the car is no longer just a passive tool, it is becoming a real co-pilot, capable of compensating for inattention, assisting with manoeuvres or even intervening in an emergency to protect its occupants.

These advances are paving the way for the transition to increasingly autonomous vehicles. Each new system adds another brick to the edifice of automated driving, where on-board intelligence is gradually taking over from the driver. Yesterday’s ADAS, perceived as a simple added comfort, is now recognised as a key step towards the car of tomorrow, connected, intelligent and capable of ensuring a large part of road safety itself.

From the first cruise control systems to today’s sophisticated systems, the history of driver assistance illustrates the combination of electronics and human ingenuity working towards a common goal: to make every journey safer, simpler and more peaceful.