Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) is Hyundai's next-generation advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that combines adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, leading vehicle distance technology, and a lane-centering assistance system to give the driver a sound and confident semi-autonomous driving experience. It is a step above the automaker's original Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system, now including a lane-change assistance function and machine learning capability to work even more intuitively with a vehicle's adaptive cruise control system.
Like its predecessor, the newer HDA 2 system combines specific hardware and software components to provide Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance on certain divided interstate highways. Although Level 2, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, allows for a semi-autonomous driving experience, HDA 2 requires the driver always to be ready to retake control of the vehicle should the ADAS face a roadway situation outside its scope of understanding.
Highway Driving Assist 2 utilizes a forward-facing radar unit and camera, GPS technology, and the navigation system's map database to travel on a growing number of approved roadways. The system will only work on those roads and when moving at speeds under 95 mph.
Hyundai designed HDA 2 to detect vehicles in the travel lanes ahead. It can help maintain a safe distance from other cars traveling in the same direction, maintain the set speed, and center the vehicle in its lane while driving on the highway. This next-generation technology introduces machine learning capability that matches adaptive cruise control operation with drivers' typical habits.
The radar unit informs adaptive cruise control operation. For automatic speed governing, drivers can set the adaptive cruise control for the posted speed limit. Highway Driving Assist 2 can also automatically reduce the vehicle's speed if the posted limit changes and slow the car down to more safely navigate freeway transition ramps or curves in the highway.
To keep the vehicle in its intended travel lane, the system's camera identifies the road's lane markings, and the steering automatically makes minor corrections to keep the car as close to the center of the lane as possible.
To activate HDA 2, select 'Setup' on the infotainment touchscreen. Then, select 'Vehicle,' 'Driver Assistance,' and 'Driving Convenience.' At this point, the driver can select or unselect the checkbox next to Highway Driving Assist to activate or deactivate the system. This selection includes a brief system description: "Assists driving on a highway according to a set speed and distance while keeping the vehicle centered in the lane."
To engage HDA 2, the driver must first turn on and engage Smart Cruise Control. This adaptive system uses radar to adjust speed based on the movement of a vehicle ahead. This is especially helpful in stop-and-go traffic.
While driving using Smart Cruise Control, the icon in the instrument cluster will change to the gray 'HDA' icon. This lets the driver know the system is in the "standby" state. Highway Driving Assist 2 will only operate in tandem with Smart Cruise Control and Lane Following Assist. The three systems work in concert. Also, the vehicle must travel on an approved road that's part of the interstate highway system. If all conditions are met, the' HDA' icon will turn from gray to green to indicate that it is operating.
To be clear, HDA 2 is not a hands-free driving system. If the driver takes their hand off the steering wheel for several seconds while HDA 2 is active, the system will warn the driver with a message in the instrument cluster that reads, "Keep hands on steering wheel." If the driver keeps their hands off the steering wheel, the message will reappear with an audible warning. After the second message, if the driver does not take hold of the wheel, a new warning message will appear, and the system will deactivate.
In the same way, if the driver is on a very straight road for an extended period with little steering input, the system may display a message to ensure driver alertness. For this reason, the driver should add slight steering inputs whenever possible.
Highway Driving Assist 2 is not considered Level 2+ hands-free technology, like Super Cruise from General Motors or BlueCruise (formerly Active Drive Assist) from Ford. These systems allow the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel for extended periods.
Highway Driving Assist 2 may not operate in certain inclement weather or bad road conditions. Fog, rain, snow, and any low visibility situation impeding the radar and camera system will keep HDA 2 from operating. Low-traction road surfaces caused by rain or ice may also prevent normal operation. You can find a complete list of circumstances in which the system may not be active in the owner's manual.
Highway Driving Assist 2 builds on Hyundai's semi-autonomous capabilities already implemented into its ADAS suite. More intuitive and sophisticated than before, this next-generation technology makes the driving experience safer, less stress-inducing, and more enjoyable overall.
Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS's MotorWeek. Her work has also appeared in AutoTrader.
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