Cruise control, a widespread driving assistance technology, maintains a steady vehicle speed without the driver constantly pressing the gas pedal. It enhances comfort and fuel efficiency, especially on highways and long trips.
From the perspective of autonomous driving, cruise control represents an early step toward self-driving cars. In 1948, the first rudimentary cruise control system was introduced by Ralph Teetor. It used a vacuum-powered actuator to keep a preset speed, revolutionizing highway driving and paving the way for more advanced driver-assistance features.