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Driver Assistance Systems (DAS) like e.g. distance control systems are more and more evolving in a variety of cars, and the goal is mainly to support the driver in his driving task in order to improve convenience. The strategic approach to DAS at BMW is outlined and resulting system functions are explained. The paper shows the specific design and implementation of systems that interact with the vehicle dynamics on the same level as the driver. Special emphasis is given to their interaction with the driver. Therefore the Human Machine Interaction is one of the focus points within the development process. BMW ensures the mode awareness of the driver by presenting the relevant information in optimized displays within the vehicle.

With series introduction of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems, automotive industry at present makes a step towards a new category of vehicle control systems. For the first time in automotive history these systems make use of information about the surrounding traffic situation. This information is provided by new kinds of sensors and is being processed using intelligent algorithms. Thus new driver assistance functions are integrated in the car, ACC being the first representative of such kind of functions. This contribution describes possibilities and also limits of today's available technology on the example of the BMW ACC system, called „Active Cruise Control”.