[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] Volkswagen is applying a further enhanced driver assistance system to the electric minivan ID.Buzz. It is expanding the scope of support from lane changes to highway-exit handling and detection of abnormal driver situations, in a move that improves driving convenience for electric vehicles.

InsideEVs reported on Thursday that Volkswagen has applied a new driver assistance package, IQ.Drive, to the ID.Buzz. It is the most advanced set of driver assistance technologies Volkswagen has introduced so far. It includes Travel Assist, Emergency Assist Plus, predictive Active Cruise Control and a road experience management function.

Predictive Active Cruise Control expands functions beyond existing adaptive cruise control. The vehicle can change lanes in line with a highway exit ramp and slow itself to match the entry speed. It also automatically adjusts driving speed according to traffic flow. When increasing speed, it first notifies the driver and seeks approval.

Travel Assist has added a lane-change assist function. When the driver turns on the turn signal, the vehicle checks surrounding traffic and begins a lane change if it determines it is safe. A green flashing arrow appears on the instrument cluster, and it looks for a gap that allows entry for up to 12 seconds. If conditions are not met, it alerts the driver with a red indicator.

Functions that respond when an abnormal situation occurs for the driver have also been strengthened. Emergency Assist Plus sends a warning if it does not detect steering input from the driver for a certain period and, if there is no response, moves the vehicle to the edge of the road.

When Travel Assist is in use, if there is no steering input for 25 seconds it warns the driver through horn and brake activation and seatbelt tightening. If there is still no response, and safety is secured, the vehicle moves itself to the shoulder, stops and turns on the hazard lights. It then unlocks the doors, turns on the interior lights and contacts emergency services.

The ID.Buzz also applies a cloud-based road recognition function. The road experience management function is provided through a premium subscription and uses camera data from users' vehicles to learn and map lane markings, street lights and road signs. It helps the vehicle determine its road position even when lane markings are worn or camera recognition is difficult due to severe weather. This update does not mean full autonomous driving. The ID.Buzz still does not provide fully hands-free driving on highways or a function that allows travel from origin to destination without driver supervision.

Even so, Volkswagen has further improved the ID.Buzz's driving convenience and safety through the IQ.Drive application. It is seen as a strategy to strengthen competitiveness in the electric minivan market by expanding support to lane changes, exit handling and responses to abnormal driver situations.