AcuraWatch-Equipped Vehicles Hit Sales Milestone

Acura has surpassed the 100,000-unit mark in U.S. sales of vehicles equipped with the AcuraWatch suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies, the automaker said.

After the first two months of 2017, nearly half of all Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. this year have been equipped with AcuraWatch. Additionally, Acura will expand the AcuraWatch suite of technologies with the introduction of Traffic Jam Assist technology on certain models later this year.

“We are working toward a zero-collision society, and this approach is resonating strongly with younger luxury customers who show increasing interest in safety technologies,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager of Acura. “Deploying active safety and driver-assistive technology broadly is one way we are taking care of our customers and differentiating Acura.”

AcuraWatch employs advanced “sensor fusion” technology, using the combined sensing capabilities of millimeter-wave radar and a monocular camera to help maintain the vehicle’s position in traffic and to prevent or mitigate the severity of a collision.

AcuraWatch was introduced to the Acura lineup in 2014 on the 2015 Acura TLX, and has steadily expanded to all core Acura models. AcuraWatch is offered as standard equipment on all 2017 MDX and 2017 RLX models, and is available on all 2017 Acura sedans and SUVs.

The AcuraWatch suite of technologies includes the Collision Mitigation Braking System with forward collision warning, commonly known as automatic emergency braking; Road Departure Mitigation with lane departure warning; a lane keeping assist system; and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.

At the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, Acura signaled its plans to provide AcuraWatch as standard equipment on all core models. The automaker also announced it will add Traffic Jam Assist as an available technology on certain models starting in 2017.

Traffic Jam Assist provides greater driver assistance and convenience in stop-and-go highway driving, Acura said. With Traffic Jam Assist, vehicles will be able to come to a complete stop and accelerate again with traffic without any driver input, as well as steer the vehicle within certain constraints.

Traffic Jam Assist has sensors and the functionality of adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, as well as lane keeping assist, extended by adding electromechanical steering. The components of Traffic Jam Assist include a mid-range radar sensor, long-range radar sensor, multi-purpose camera and stereo video camera. Current AcuraWatch ACC technology provides for semi-automated braking to a stop, but requires driver input to resume speed.

Additional standard safety equipment on all models includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, an anti-lock braking system, side curtain air bags (some vehicles are equipped with a rollover sensor as well), advanced front air bags and front side air bags. All new Acura models also are equipped with a multi-angle rearview camera as standard equipment.