14.1 Cruise Control System

A vehicle speed control system can range from a simple throttle latching device to a sophisticated digital controller that constantly maintains a set speed under varying driving conditions. The next generation of electronic speed control systems will probably still use a separate module (black box), the same as present-day systems, but will share data from the engine, ABS, and transmission control systems. Futuristic cruise control systems that include radar sensors to measure the rate of closure to other vehicles and adjust the speed to maintain a constant distance are possible but need significant cost reductions for widespread private vehicle usage.

The objective of an automatic vehicle cruise control is to sustain a steady speed under varying road conditions, thus allowing the vehicle operator to relax from constant foot throttle manipulation. In some cases, the cruise control system may actually improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency value by limiting throttle excursions to small steps. By using the power and speed of a microcontroller device and fuzzy logic software design, an excellent cruise control system can be designed.