A
collision avoidance system is an
automobile safety system designed to reduce the severity of an accident. Also known as
precrash system,
forward collision warning system or
collision mitigating system, it uses
radar (all-weather) and sometimes
laser and camera (both sensor types are ineffective during bad weather) to detect an imminent crash. Once the detection is done, these systems either provide a warning to the driver when there is an imminent collision or take action autonomously without any driver input (by braking or steering or both). Collision avoidance by braking is appropriate at low vehicle speeds (e.g. below 50 km/h), while collision avoidance by steering is appropriate at higher vehicle speeds. Cars with collision avoidance may also be equipped with
adaptive cruise control, and use the same forward-looking sensors.