The upcoming Maruti Baleno facelift is set to get several important upgrades. But one of the biggest talking points so far has be the possible addition of Level 1 ADAS on the premium hatchback. The ADAS on the Baleno Facelift is expected to be similar to what the recently facelifted Brezza offers.
ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. In simple terms, these are electronic systems that use cameras and sensors to watch what is happening around the car and assist the driver.
However, there is an important point to remember. Level 1 ADAS does not mean that the car can drive itself. In fact, the system expected on the Baleno is much more limited than the Level 2 ADAS systems found on more expensive cars. So, what exactly will the Baleno’s ADAS do?
Think of ADAS as a ladder. There are different levels, starting from Level 0 and going up to Level 5.
At Level 1, the car can assist the driver with one major driving function at a time. The driver remains completely responsible for controlling the vehicle and must keep paying attention.
Level 2 goes a step further. The car can assist with both steering and acceleration/braking at the same time under certain conditions. In other words, it can do some amount of semi-autonomous driving.
For example, a Level 2 system can keep the car centred in its lane while adaptive cruise control maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead. The ADAS expected on the Baleno Facelift will not do this.
The Baleno’s Level 1 system is expected to focus heavily on safety around the sides and rear of the car. One of the key features will be Blind Spot Monitoring. If another vehicle is travelling alongside your car in an area the driver cannot easily see in the mirrors, the system can warn the driver.
Then there is Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Imagine reversing out of a parking space where your view of the road is blocked by other cars. If another vehicle is approaching from the side behind you, the system can detect it and warn you.
The third important feature is expected to be Safe Exit Alert. If you park the car on the side of a busy road and someone tries to open a door while a vehicle or cyclist is approaching from behind, the system can warn the occupants. The car could also get front parking sensors as part of the package.
This is where buyers need to be careful. Level 1 ADAS is not an autonomous driving system. It will not drive the car for you. It is also not expected to offer Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically accelerates and brakes to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead.
Level 1 ADAS is also not expected to provide Lane Keep Assist, where the car can make steering corrections to keep itself within lane markings. There is therefore no Level 2-style combination of steering assistance and adaptive cruise control. The driver will still have to steer, accelerate, brake and make all important driving decisions.
For an affordable premium hatchback, the addition of Level 1 ADAS is significant. It brings technology that was once restricted largely to expensive cars into a much more accessible segment. More importantly, the ADAS is designed to assist the driver, not replace the driver. That is perhaps the easiest way to understand it.
Level 1 ADAS is an extra pair of electronic eyes looking out for you. It is not an electronic chauffeur. So, if and when the Baleno facelift arrives with this feature, buyers should look at its ADAS package as an additional safety net. It can warn you about hazards that you might miss. But you will still need to keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road and your attention on the traffic around you.