Market Trends of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) And Blind Spot Detection (BSD) Industry
Passenger Car Segment is The Largest Vehicle Type Segment
The passenger car segment is the largest market segment for adaptive cruise control (ACC) and blind spot detection (BSD) among vehicle types. There has been a widespread integration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in modern passenger cars, driven by a growing emphasis on safety and the increasing consumer demand for enhanced driving experiences.
Passenger car manufacturers are largely offering cutting-edge features that enhance both safety and convenience. ACC systems are well-suited for highway driving, making them particularly attractive for daily commuters and long-distance travelers using passenger cars. The mainstream adoption of ACC in passenger cars is fuelled by advancements in sensor technologies, affordability, and a shift toward semi-autonomous driving features.
Similarly, blind spot detection has also become a crucial safety feature, especially in urban environments with dense traffic. The passenger car segment, being the largest volume contributor in the automotive market, experiences a higher incidence of lane changes and merging movements. BSD addresses the limitations of driver visibility by using sensors to detect vehicles in blind spots, reducing the risk of accidents during lane changes—a common scenario in passenger car usage.
Furthermore, regulatory initiatives and safety ratings that prioritize vehicles equipped with advanced safety features contribute to the prevalence of ACC and BSD in passenger cars. In North America, the United States New Car Assessment Program (US NCAP), a flagship program of the country's National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), focused on the incorporation of these safety systems, was introduced to reduce the safety-related concerns of buyers.
Automakers are integrating these technologies into their passenger car models, making them more appealing to a broader customer base. Market players have multiple active patents registered to their name related to autonomous features in their vehicles. In 2022, Toyota had the most number of active patents, amounting to 1,823, followed by Baidu and Honda Motors.
Apart from passenger cars, commercial vehicles, particularly large trucks, are also seeing an increase in demand for sophisticated driver assistance systems and collision avoidance systems. Commercial vehicles are longer and broader than passenger vehicles, resulting in substantially greater blind areas. Thus, to enhance safety and eliminate blind spots, companies, in consultation with commercial vehicle manufacturers, are developing blind spot detection systems that are suitable for these vehicles.
The rising vehicle safety concerns and a growing number of blind spot-related accidents are some of the factors that will drive the market for ACC and BSD systems during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific and North America Driving the Market
Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing regional market, contributing significantly to the growth of both the BSD and ACC industries, followed by North America. The growth in these regions is driven by factors such as increasing vehicle sales, particularly of luxury cars, and an increase in safety installations per vehicle.
The presence of fast-developing countries, like India and South Korea, and the safety regulations imposed on vehicles in the region have influenced the Asia-Pacific market for driving assistance systems significantly. These regulations are as stringent as those of Europe and North America.
- The Bharat New Car Assessment Program, commonly known as Bharat NCAP, is the 10th NCAP in the world and has been set up by the Government of India. The program commenced in October 2023. The program aims to evaluate the safety performance of cars sold in India and assign star ratings based on their safety features and performance. Bharat NCAP will assign star ratings ranging from 1 to 5 for cars tested, with 1 being the lowest rating. These ratings cover Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Fitment of Safety Assist Technologies.
Additionally, the improvement in socioeconomic conditions in India, Thailand, and Indonesia has also created a demand for the premium passenger cars segment, thereby increasing the demand for ACC and BSD in these countries.
Further, the rising awareness of driver safety systems is enhancing the market for ADAS-equipped vehicles in Asia-Pacific countries. Government regulations are compelling car manufacturers to design their vehicles with advanced ADAS modules. Moreover, the evolution of autonomous cars in this region is creating the opportunity for tier-1 manufacturers to design and deliver ADAS with the latest technologies and user-friendly systems.
All these developments combined are expected to drive the market for adaptive cruise control (ACC) and blind spot detection (BSD) in Asia-Pacific.
