During long drives, Highway Assist or Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with lane-keeping assist can significantly ease the driver's workload, and the steering wheel plays an important role in this. The system helps by actively assisting with steering and maintaining the vehicle's position on the road, especially on highways. Here's how it works and how the steering wheel supports this feature:

1. Lane Centering

• Steering Wheel Input: Highway Assist uses cameras and sensors to detect lane markings. When engaged, the system subtly adjusts the steering wheel to help keep the vehicle centered within its lane, especially during long stretches of highway driving. The steering wheel may provide minor, gentle steering inputs to maintain lane position.
• Driver Feedback: If the system detects that you are unintentionally drifting out of the lane, it may provide tactile feedback, such as a slight vibration in the steering wheel or even slight steering adjustments, encouraging you to steer back toward the center.

2. Adaptive Cruise Control Integration

• Maintaining Speed and Distance: When Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is active, the steering wheel doesn't directly control speed, but it works in tandem with the system to keep the car at a safe following distance from vehicles ahead.
• Steering Assistance: In some advanced systems, such as Highway Driving Assist, the steering wheel will actively steer to keep the vehicle in the lane without much input from the driver, allowing you to focus more on monitoring traffic. The steering wheel will respond to minor curves and changes in the road.

3. Driver Engagement

• Hands-on Detection: Most systems require the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel for safety reasons. If the system detects that the driver's hands are off the wheel or not actively engaging with it for an extended period, it will usually prompt a warning (such as a visual or audible alert) or deactivate the system to ensure safe operation.
• Customization Options: Some vehicles with Highway Assist systems allow drivers to adjust the level of steering assistance. For example, you can set how much the steering wheel will adjust or how strongly the system will hold the vehicle in the center of the lane.

4. Long Drive Support

• Reduced Driver Fatigue: Over long drives, especially on highways with limited curves, the steering wheel support offered by the system can help reduce driver fatigue by providing smooth, automated lane-keeping adjustments. This allows the driver to focus on other aspects of driving, like monitoring traffic or adjusting speed.
• System Limitations: The system is not meant to replace the driver but rather to assist. It can help with steering, but the driver must remain alert and ready to take over if necessary, especially in challenging conditions like sharp curves or poor weather.

In summary, Highway Assist and similar systems use subtle steering inputs to help keep the vehicle within its lane, providing a more comfortable and less stressful experience for drivers on long highway journeys. The steering wheel is central to this process, offering both feedback and control, but always requiring the driver to stay engaged.