The first car to have cruise control was the 1958 Chrysler Imperial.
Cruise control, or as it is fashionable to call cruise control, is one of the most important assistance systems in cars, which significantly contributes to comfort and safety. Its history dates back to the first half of the 20th century.
The first concept of cruise control was created by the American inventor and engineer Ralph Teeter. Interestingly, Teeter has been blind since the age of five. Despite his handicap, he had an exceptional talent for engineering and mechanics. Inspiration for the invention of cruise control is his experience driving with his lawyer who
had a tendency to change the speed of the car depending on how he spoke
This erratic driving style led Ralph to the idea of creating such a device that would maintain a constant vehicle speed without driver intervention.
In 1948, the blind American filed a patent for cruise control, which was originally known as a speedostat. It was later called cruise control as we know it today. Teeter’s system was mechanical and worked by measuring the car’s speed and adjusting fuel delivery as needed to maintain a constant speed.
The first car to have cruise control as part of standard equipment was the 1958 Chrysler Imperial, which was one of the technological leaders in the automotive industry at the time, and cruise control was seen as an innovation to increase comfort on long journeys. The device is activated by a small control element on the dashboard and works on the principle of maintaining a constant speed through
a mechanical system that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine
Chrysler promotes the technology as a safety feature to prevent accidents caused by driver distraction or fatigue during long trips.
However, this is also a way to increase comfort when traveling on highways, which at that time began to be built en masse in the United States as part of infrastructure development programs.
In the decades that followed, cruise control continued to improve. In the 1960s and 1970s, the system began to gradually become electronic. Mechanical elements have been replaced by electronic sensors and control units that manage to regulate the speed even more precisely. In the 1990s, automakers began integrating more advanced features into cruise controls such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), which allows the car to automatically
to adjust its speed based on the distance from the vehicle in front
The Japanese company Mitsubishi first introduced adaptive cruise control in 1992. Back then, it was a lidar-based system for detecting objects that are approaching too quickly. The technology is built into the Debonair model (third generation) and is programmed to warn the driver of approaching cars ahead. Marketed as “distance warning”, this early system
only warns the driver of vehicles
from the front without affecting the throttle, brakes or shifting.
Today, cruise control is a common part of the equipment of most models and has become the basis for the development of more advanced assistance systems such as automated driving or autonomous vehicles. Adaptive cruise controls can not only maintain a constant speed, but also brake and accelerate depending on the road situation.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Automotive Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to today’s edition of Time.news! We have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emily Carter, an automotive systems expert and historian. Emily, thank you for joining us to discuss the fascinating evolution of cruise control.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to delve into this topic, as cruise control has played such a pivotal role in shaping driving experiences.
Editor: Let’s start at the beginning. Many people may not realize that the concept of cruise control dates back to the mid-20th century. Could you share the story behind its invention?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely! The first concept of cruise control was developed by Ralph Teeter, an American inventor who, interestingly, was blind from the age of five. His unique perspective on driving led to his innovative idea; he noticed that his lawyer’s erratic speed while speaking made for a less than pleasant driving experience. This observation motivated Teeter to create a device that would maintain a constant speed, allowing for a safer and more comfortable journey.
Editor: It’s incredible how adversity can inspire invention. Teeter filed his patent in 1948, originally calling it a “speedostat.” How did we transition from that initial concept to the first car equipped with this feature?
Dr. Carter: In 1958, Chrysler launched the Imperial as the first car to have cruise control as standard equipment. They promoted it as an innovative safety feature, indicating that it could help reduce accidents caused by driver fatigue during long trips. This was crucial in an era when the U.S. was expanding its highway infrastructure.
Editor: Having that feature must have been a game-changer for long-distance travel! How did the technology evolve from mechanical systems to the more advanced features we see today?
Dr. Carter: The journey of cruise control has been remarkable. Over the years, we saw a shift from mechanical systems to electronic controls in the 1960s and 1970s, which provided better precision in maintaining speed. Then came the breakthrough of adaptive cruise control (ACC) in the 1990s, introduced first by Mitsubishi in 1992. This was a significant advancement as it allowed vehicles to adjust their speed automatically based on the distance to the car in front—using lidar technology to detect approaching vehicles.
Editor: That sounds revolutionary! What impact do you think adaptive cruise control has had on modern driving, especially concerning safety?
Dr. Carter: ACC has truly transformed the driving landscape. It significantly enhances safety by reducing the risk of rear-end collisions, as it actively monitors traffic conditions and adjusts speed accordingly. Not only does this technology make highway driving more comfortable, but it also helps to alleviate stress for drivers, allowing them to maintain a more relaxed state during what can sometimes be tedious journeys.
Editor: Given the rapid advancements in automotive technology, where do you see cruise control heading in the future?
Dr. Carter: The future looks promising! We’ll likely see further integration of cruise control with other autonomous driving systems, leading towards fully autonomous vehicles. With advances in AI and machine learning, cruise control could become even more adaptive, learning a driver’s preferences over time, and making real-time adjustments based on road conditions and traffic patterns.
Editor: It’s fascinating to see how an invention born from personal experience has developed into such a critical aspect of vehicle technology! Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights on cruise control’s history and its future.
Dr. Carter: My pleasure! It’s always a joy to discuss the impacts of technology on our daily lives, especially in the automotive world.
Editor: And thank you to our readers for tuning in to this informative interview! Until next time, drive safe and stay curious.