Walk up
to most people and ask what they think of when the name Porsche is uttered and
many will immediately think 911 and racing. Porsche is getting further and
further from its pure sports car roots even though it still makes some of the
best sports cars around. Most of the Porsche models sold today aren't the
sports cars the company currently makes (911, Boxster, Cayman), but larger
vehicles like the Panamera
sedan/hatchback, and Cayenne crossover.
While performance remains a priority for Porsche, the company is looking into
ways to make all of its vehicles safer and more efficient. Part of the
investigation into efficiency and safety is a new system that takes adaptive
cruise control a lot further than simply being able to slow down a vehicle in
emergency situations.
The new system Porsche is working on is called ACC
InnoDrive and it completely removes the driver's feet from the pedals.
The car learns the route the driver takes complete with estimates of the speed
limit, curves, and elevation changes and then translates that into data the car
uses to completely control the pedals.
The goal is to create a car that constantly monitors speed, throttle, and other
aspects for a smooth and comfortable ride that optimizes efficiency. Autoblog was
able to take a ride in a prototype Porsche Panamera S that is equipped with the
system. The hardware to make the ACC InnoDrive function is a second ECU in
the trunk of the car that gathers additional data.
Autoblog says that allowing the car to take over the pedals
completely was unnerving in some parts, but the system performance flawlessly.
ACC InnoDrive has three modes: Comfort, Dynamic, and Off. The Dynamic mode is
where the pedals are taken over by the car. Apparently, the system will bring
your car to a complete stop, slow for curves, and knows the speed limit so you
just have to steer. The system is expected to be production-ready in about
three years and of course will be optional. InnoDrive is expected to be offered
on most Porsche vehicles, including its sports cars.
Porsche
did note that its system would not touch the steering wheel. It feels the
hands-on aspect of steering is integral to the Porsche experience.
