Adaptive Dampers (CDC/CCD)
Adaptive dampers are electronically controlled shock absorbers that vary their damping-force characteristic according to sensor data, vehicle state, and selected drive mode.
How they work
A controller estimates body and wheel motion, then commands a valve or another controllable element in each damper. The damper can become more or less resistant within its force–velocity envelope, allowing the calibration to favor impact isolation, body control, tyre contact, or a chosen compromise as conditions change.
Continuous Damping Control (CDC) and Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) are labels used for systems in this class; they are not one universal technical standard. Hardware can use one proportional valve, separate compression and rebound valves, switched states, or another variable-flow design. Update rate alone does not establish ride quality because sensor quality, estimation, valve range, delays, temperature, springs, tyres, and control tuning all matter.
Adaptive dampers are usually semi-active. They do not by themselves change spring rate or ride height, and they cannot generate arbitrary suspension force without relative motion. A manufacturer may nevertheless bundle them with air springs or other chassis hardware under one adaptive-suspension name.
For damper construction, force–velocity curves, and electronically controlled variants, see Suspension Dampers.