# Cruise control
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## Microsims — p5.js
### Cruise control (p5.js) · `PI on speed`
<div class="microsim-player">
<iframe src="https://editor.p5js.org/sciencenibber/full/BDx2cNoud" width="100%" height="480" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin" title="Cruise control — p5.js microsim"></iframe>
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*An everyday feedback controller that holds a car's speed by trimming the throttle against hills and wind.*
**Open in the editor:** [▶ fork this sketch](https://editor.p5js.org/sciencenibber/sketches/BDx2cNoud) · movement *VI · Control theory & estimation* · library `p5js`
### Related microsims
Live sims on neighbouring articles:
- [[Control_theory]]
- [[Detection_theory]]
- [[Estimation_theory]]
- [[Feedback]]
- [[Linear_time-invariant_system]]
- [[Nonlinear_system]]
*Sim hosted off-article; the article owns the reference, not the runtime (WIKI_RULES §10.4). Placed by `g08_place_microsims.py`.*
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## Links (Wikipedia order)
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`1973_oil_crisis` · `AMC_Ambassador` · `Adaptive_cruise_control` · `Airbag` · `American_Motors_Corporation` · `Armrest` · `Automatic_vehicle_location` · `Automobile_auxiliary_power_outlet` · `Automotive_head-up_display` · `Automotive_navigation_system` · `Automotive_night_vision` · `Automotive_safety` · `Backup_camera` · `Bench_seat` · `Blind_spot_monitor` · `Boost_gauge` · `Bowden_cable` · `Brake` · `Bucket_seat` · `Buzzer` · `CMOS` · `Car` · `Car_alarm` · `Car_boot_liner` · `Car_phone` · `Car_seat` · `Carputer` · `Center_console_(automobile)` · `Centrifugal_force` · `Check_engine_light` · `Child_safety_lock` · `Chrysler_Imperial` · `Citroën_Xsara` · `Clutch` · `Cup_holder` · `Dashboard` · [[Electric_motor]] · `Electronic_throttle_control` · `Engine_control_unit` · `Extremely_high_frequency` · `Fuel_efficiency` · `Fuel_gauge` · `Galip_Ulsoy` · `Gear_stick` · `Glove_compartment` · `Idle_(engine)` · `Immobiliser` · `Integrated_circuit` · `Jeep_Grand_Cherokee` · `Lane_centering` · `Manettino_dial` · `Manual_transmission` · `Matthew_Boulton` · `Molded_carpet` · `Motorola` · `Nissan_Note` · `Odometer` · `Parking_brake` · `Parking_sensor` · `Peerless_Motor_Company` · `Plymouth,_Michigan` · `Power_door_locks` · `Power_steering` · `RCA_Corporation` · `Radar` · `Radar_detector` · `Ralph_Teetor` · `Rearview_mirror` · `Remote_keyless_system` · `Revolutions_per_minute` · `Road` · `Rumble_seat` · `SAE_International` · `Seat_belt` · `Servomechanism` · `Smart_key` · `Solenoid` · `Speed` · `Speed_limit` · `Speed_limiter` · `Speedometer` · `Steam_engine` · `Steering_wheel` · `Sudden_unintended_acceleration` · `Sun_visor` · `Tachometer` · `Telematics` · `Tell-tale_(automotive)` · `Throttle` · `Trip_computer` · `VIN_etching` · `Vacuum` · `Vehicle_audio` · `Vehicle_mat` · [[Wayback_Machine]] · `Wheel_speed_sensor` · `Wilson-Pilcher`
> Signal Processing concept · part of the Signal Processing Portal · movement VI · !01 制御 seigyo.svg
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*Rendered from the live microsim (▶ motion).*
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## See it next
[](Automatic_control)
*→ Automatic control*
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---
Back to Signal Processing Portal · the room · Semiotic gateway
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## What it is
Cruise control is an automatic control system in a vehicle that maintains a driver-set speed by continuously adjusting throttle in response to the difference between the target speed and the measured speed.
## How it works / why it matters
It is a textbook single-loop feedback system: a sensor reports current speed, the error against the setpoint is computed, and a controller (commonly proportional–integral) modulates engine power to close the gap despite disturbances like hills and wind. The integral term removes steady-state error so the car holds speed exactly on a grade, while gains are tuned to avoid oscillating around the setpoint. Adaptive cruise control adds a distance sensor and an outer loop that also regulates the gap to the vehicle ahead.
## Signs & universals
Instantiates the semiotic universals: control_loop · feedback · equilibrium.
## Related
A canonical instance of Automatic control built on a [[PID_controller]]; grounded in [[Control_theory]]. Compare the state-estimation side, the [[Kalman_filter]].
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## From the Real GENERATIVE library
> Cruise control (also known as speed control, cruise command, autocruise, or tempomat) is a system that automatically controls the speed of an automobile. The system is a servomechanism that takes over the car's throttle to maintain a steady speed set by the driver. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruise_control))
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*Built to the [[WT!P5_js_Microsim_Master_Class|p5.js Master Class]].*
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## Wikipedia : Wikitube
**Strict pair:** [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruise_control) : [Wikitube](https://en.wikitube.io/wiki/Cruise_control)
## Previous hub tags
Tree parents: [[Control_theory]] · [[Feedback]].
Legacy hubs: none.
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*Sources: 1 legacy note. Minted wave 1, 2026-07-30 (v1.6 order).*