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September 6, 2005
TRW Integrated Safety Strategy To Be Unveiled At IAA Exhibition
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. today announced plans to unveil the Company's integrated safety systems platform at the IAA exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, September 12-25, 2005.... TRW has developed a suite of technologies that integrate active and passive systems designed to help prevent accidents, protect passengers, and support vehicle manufacturers in providing value to the end consumer.
July 21, 2005
BMW announces Night Vision and High-Beam Assistant
Two groundbreaking safety innovations will be available on BMW models this autumn when Night Vision and High-Beam Assistant are offered for the first time. Night Vision uses a special thermal imaging camera to 'illuminate' pedestrians, animals or any objects emitting heat up to 300 metres ahead of the car. Infrared technology generates a clear image of the road ahead on the iDrive screen and the system is particularly effective on long stretches of unlit road or motorway. Bi-xenon headlamps already illuminate the road 150 metres ahead, but Night Vision offers the driver a significantly longer range of vision. The result? All round better awareness of the road ahead and safer driving. Road safety levels can be further increased by the use of High-Beam Assistant - a system that automatically sets the Bi-xenon headlights to the optimum range and brightness depending on other traffic movements. A sensor at the front of the car detects any oncoming exterior light source, allowing the car to automatically switch between high and low beam for the best level of illumination....
July 4, 2005
Greater Safety Through New Brake Control Systems
In 1995, Bosch was the first company in the world to begin series production of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®). Since then, the leading automotive components supplier has developed a scalable range of products which allow further safety and convenience functions to be easily integrated into the ESP®. "All relevant additional functions can in future be implemented on the basis of a conventional hydraulic braking system", explains Klaus Meder, head of development in the Chassis Systems Division at Bosch on the occasion of the company's Automotive Press Briefing in Boxberg.
June 27, 2005
Using Electronic Eyes to Reduce Motor Vehicle Fatalities
In a presentation at the Eye and The Auto World Congress, Continental Automotive Systems, North America, Manager, Vehicle Test and Development, Robert Beaver presented Continental's vision of how the development of active safety technology will help save lives.
June 16, 2005
Advanced Technology Aimed at Stopping Highway and Intersection Accidents
Today in Washington D.C., DaimlerChrysler demonstrated a new innovation in vehicle-to-vehicle communications that will make roads safer than ever before.
Already existing Wi-Fi technology allows two vehicles or other roadside devices to directly communicate with each other over a distance of about 300 yards. The Dedicated Short Range Communications system, or DSRC, makes it possible for early warning systems to let drivers know when danger is down the road.
The DSRC system can be used to reduce rear-end collisions, warn about roadside problems ahead and inform drivers if their vehicle is going the correct speed before a light change. Down the road, DSRC technology may make it easier to service vehicles and even provide in-vehicle infotainment for passengers.
[Source: DaimlerChrysler]
DSA Comments While such technology undoubtedly is the way that traffic safety will progress, it is still a matter of concern that it is undeniably going to compensate to some extent for serious inadequacies in people's overall driving skills -- inadequacies which exist because of the unarguably low requirements in driver training and the driving test, in the U.S.A. Long before we get to the stage of the entirely safe, self-driving car, countless thousands of lives could be saved by the simple expedient of raising and nationalizing driving test standards in America, in keeping with those found in many other developed nations. And the cost of such upgrading would certainly be offset by a reduction in the societal costs of fatal crashes. Eddie Wren, Executive Director, Drive and Stay Alive, Inc.
May 21, 2005
Auto Engineers Predict the Future Someday, cars will see beyond the road that lies within the headlight beams. They'll have cameras that detect what is happening all around it. And eventually they'll talk to each other. Those are the predictions of nine auto executives in charge of safety at automakers and suppliers during a conference held Monday by the Society of Automotive Engineers. The annual conference, which ends Thursday and is expected to attract more than 35,000 people to Cobo Center in Detroit, features ways automakers and suppliers can improve vehicles' safety, comfort and performance. Demand has accelerated safety technology, said Josef Haberl, director of vehicle safety at luxury automaker BMW AG. The latest technology to go into production includes the use of sensors to control vehicles that are about to tip and keep cruise control under control.... Full story, from The Day (Connecticut)
April 6, 2005
IBM Supercomputer to Help Volvo Avert Crashes Volvo has moved to make its cars safer by asking IBM to build a supercomputer that performs crash simulations. IBM will provide more than 150 IBM eServer 325 machines running AMD Opteron processors, as well as services to help increase the "design-for-safety" approach cultivated by the Swedish car company. IBM did not disclose the cost of the contract, which is a multi-million-dollar deal. The machines will work in tandem with Volvo's existing... high performance computing platform, launched in 2002. The system is expected to become one of the automotive industry's fastest Linux clusters.... For Volvo, the crash tests that were once run overnight are now run at least twice a day with the new system. They also help the car company save money on physical crash test simulations, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each.... Full story, from Internet News
March 15, 2005
Fewer Crashes with 'Predictive Brake Assist' New driver assistance system from Bosch a first in Audi A6 Bosch's new driver assistance system, 'Predictive Brake Assist', helps drivers in the event of an imminent accident by preparing the brake system for emergency braking. This represents the first stage of Bosch's 'Predictive Safety Systems' product line-up - - systems with preventive effect.
March 14, 2005:
Continental Showcase Total Vehicle Safety and ESC Technologies at Lifesavers Continental Automotive Systems is showcasing industry-leading safety systems, as well as its total vehicle safety system approach, at the Lifesavers Conference 2005 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bill Kozyra, President and CEO, Continental Automotive Systems North America, will be a featured speaker and participant in the workshop on Emerging Vehicle Safety Technologies, on Monday, March 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., in room 209 A-B. The company will also feature information on a range of advanced safety technologies at its booth in the convention center. Additionally, Continental's "Safely There" mobile automotive safety exhibit is located at the convention center. It features displays of the company's core safety technologies including the Active Rollover Protection System (ARP), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), and a simulator that demonstrates ESC.
Continental is also promoting the "Be smart, play your part"
tire safety campaign, which actively encourages drivers to maintain
their tires properly in order to achieve longer and safer tire life.
March 8, 2005:
Delphi's New Energy Absorbing Steering Column Technology Further Enhances Driver Safety A recent report from NHTSA cites that energy absorbing steering columns are second, only to safety belts, as an effective safety device for vehicle drivers. Now Delphi Corp.'s newest steering column technology will further enhance Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury driver safety.... Full press release here, from Delphi.
March 3, 2005:
NCAP Crash Tests Highlight Investment in New Car Safety Euro NCAP crash test results issued this week show how new car safety is improving, particularly for pedestrians. Of the three models tested, both the Honda FR-V people carrier and new Suzuki Swift achieved a coveted three stars for pedestrian-friendly design. The new Peugeot 1007 supermini won the highest-ever combined NCAP score on measures that assess occupant, child and pedestrian safety. Full report here, from the SMMT.
February 22, 2005:
Winners of New Zealand Road Safety Innovation Awards announced A world first, after-market emergency brake lighting system was one of two joint overall winners in this year's New Zealand Road Safety Innovation Awards. The intelligent brake lighting system also receives this year's award for Vehicle-Based Road Safety Innovation. The Road Safety Innovation Awards are being presented at a ceremony tonight hosted at Parliament by Transport Safety Minister Hon Harry Duynhoven. The prize-giving is the culmination of the second national awards programme for breakthroughs in New Zealand road safety. Full details of the awards, here.
January 21, 2005:
UK Car Makers Now Fit ABS as Standard Equipment and Win Award
The British motor industry has been presented with What Car? magazine's 2005 reader award, for the voluntary fitting of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) as standard. The award was collected by Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, on behalf of the industry, at a ceremony held at The Grosvenor House Hotel on 20 January 2005. Readers voted for initiatives in the past year that made their lives safer, easier or cheaper. What Car? editor David Motton said, 'Previously, buyers were more likely to spend money on optional extras such as alloy wheels or air-con rather than ABS. Now they no longer have to make that choice and lives will be saved as a result.' Christopher Macgowan added, 'I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the motor industry. We are committed to improving vehicle safety for occupants and other road users and the introduction of ABS as standard is an important step forward. All road users will benefit from this development because ABS gives drivers greater control in an emergency situation, preventing many accidents happening in the first place.' Manufacturers voluntarily agreed to fit ABS to new cars made after 1 July 2004. ABS allows the driver to stop more quickly and maintain steering control even in an emergency. The system works on the automatic principle of cadence braking, which means the driver applies continuous pressure on the brakes, steering round the obstacle. The introduction of ABS as standard was part of an industry-wide agreement to improve pedestrian protection that also included changes to front-end design and the removal of rigid bull bars. [Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)]
January 10, 2005:
Goodyear and Siemens Raise Tire IQ The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Siemens VDO Automotive have teamed to create "Tire IQ," the most advanced tire information system to be developed.... "For the past 100 years, a vehicle's performance was based solely on the mechanical properties of tires," said Joe Gingo, Goodyear's Chief Technical Officer. "By extending the vehicle electronics to the tire with a system such as Tire IQ, we can now add an advanced level of performance monitoring and control."...
January 7, 2005
Maximum Torque Braking System A British invention that effectively halves vehicle stopping times has received the UK's top honour for automotive technical achievement. The RAC has presented its Dewar Trophy to the Delphi Corporation for its development of the Maximum Torque Brake system. Maximum Torque Brakes use two discs floating on the outside diameter of the axle hub. A piston applies braking force via four pads, providing up to 1.9 times the stopping power of a conventional single disc system. [Source: icWales]
January 7, 2005
Michelin Lets the Air Out of Future Tire Innovation Michelin has released information and the first photos of its Tweel® technology today, the fusion of the tire and the wheel. Developed in the U.S. at the company's technology center in Greenville, the non-pneumatic Tweel® has the potential to transform the automotive, military, construction and personal mobility industries in the years ahead. "Major revolutions in mobility may come along only once in a hundred years," said Terry Gettys, president of Michelin Americas Research and Development Center. "But a new century has dawned and Tweel® has proven its potential to transform mobility. Tweel® enables us to reach levels of performance that quite simply aren't possible with today's conventional pneumatic technology."....
January 6, 2005
Delphi Introduces Next Generation Forewarn Back-Up Aid LAS VEGAS - Delphi Corp. introduced its next generation Forewarn Back-up Aid system - a new and integrated system featuring radar technology, extended sensing range and resistance to interference from rain, snow, dirt, mud and noise at a press briefing at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center yesterday. Improvements over the first generation system include an integrated dual radar receiver and a visual range indicator. The dual radar design extends the sensing range to 16 feet, while broadening the critical coverage areas immediately behind the corners of the vehicle. This improvement enables Forewarn® to be three-times more responsive than conventional offerings....
December 4, 2004
Coming Auto Technology Will Increase Safety It's just past midnight. Highway traffic is sparse and you're on the road, drowsy from a long day. Your eyelids start to droop and instead closing for a blink they shut for almost a full second and drift open. Zip. Your seat belt tightens against your chest. Thump, thump, thump. It taps on your left shoulder with a wake-up call. The technology is what the auto industry calls an active safety system, which aims to prevent accidents using sensors, cameras, alerts and in some cases brakes and steering to avoid a collision. The Delphi Corporation -- based in Troy, Michigan -- demonstrated the seat-belt technology, fitted in a Volvo XC90 sport-utility vehicle, during Convergence 2004, an industry conference at Detroit's Cobo Center for automotive electronics. While safety is the main draw at the three-day conference, which wraps up Wednesday, it also featured the latest in audio technology and computerized braking and steering. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said upcoming safety technology could decrease the number of crashes caused by driver distraction, lane changes and rear-end accidents by 1 million annually.... Full story, from The Day
November 12, 2004
Visteon TACNET™ -- Proven Technology to Serve Boston Police Department TACNET™ improves officer safety by dramatically reducing the number of devices installed in the police car interior. For example, it integrates lights, sirens, multiple radios, radar, patrol video, AM/FM radio functions and mobile data computers. TACNET™ also gives officers a choice of command and control options by integrating the numerous switches and electronic equipment controls into three main interfaces: voice control, in-dash touch screen and an ergonomically designed control "pod." This flexibility allows law enforcement agencies to configure control functions to best meet their needs.
Also: Visteon Demonstrates New Law Enforcement Technology at Annual Police Chiefs Conference Press releases here.
October 29, 2004
Volvo's Water Repellent Glass Makes Driving Safer in the Rain
Volvo is launching Water Repellent Glass (WRG) to improve visibility and
help prevent accidents when driving in wet weather. The WRG treatment,
indicated by a water droplets icon on the glass, prevents rainwater from
impairing visibility on front side windows and door mirrors, and is
another important Volvo safety innovation - particularly useful for
corporate drivers who sometimes travel hundreds of miles in heavy rain. The WRG on the door mirrors uses a different method to disperse the water. Instead of forming droplets, the water spreads evenly across the entire glass surface to maintain a clearer view. In poor weather this process will be speeded up when using heated door mirrors with WRG. As door mirrors are not exposed to the same wear and tear as the side windows, the WRG treatment will last the lifetime of the mirror and no re-treatment is necessary. Dean Shaw, Volvo Car UK product manager says, "Whilst wipers keep front and rear windows free of rain, Water Repellent Glass now makes a substantial improvement to the driver's vision through side windows and door mirrors -- whereas previously the only other solution was to lower the window and risk a soaking!" [Source: Roadsafe]
October 29, 2004
Trailer Sway Mitigation (TSM) Technology Earns Bosch a Place in the PACE Finals FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Robert Bosch Corporation has been selected as a finalist for the 2005 Automotive News PACE Awards in the Product - Europe category for its Trailer Sway Mitigation (TSM) technology.
October 29, 2004
In Britain, the Vauxhall Astra 'Sport Hatch' now has a Panorama Windscreen (Windshield)
Vauxhall has developed a panoramic windscreen for the three-door Astra
Sport Hatch. The windscreen glass extends seamlessly from the bonnet up over the front seats to the B-pillar, with no crossbeam restricting the view. Extensive crash tests show that the panorama windscreen maintains the standard Astra's enviable safety record, thanks to the car's strong A- and B-pillars, an additional cross member in the middle of the roof and a sturdy floor assembly. Besides making sure the glass roof is safe, this rigidity also ensures the car's acclaimed driving dynamics are not affected. [Source: Roadsafe]
October 28, 2004
Statement by William Kozyra, President and CEO, Continental Teves on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Study on Stability Control Effectiveness View the statement here, and the IIHS press release which raised the issue, here.
October 26, 2004
Continental's Electronic Brake and Safety Systems Provide a Foundation for Increased 'Smart' Car Functionality AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Continental's new Electronic Brake Systems (EBS) for model year 2005 vehicles mark a milestone in the organization's movement toward a completely integrated active vehicle safety system -- the "smart" car that helps "anticipate" crashes and mitigate injuries. Read this article if you wish to see more details about many advanced safety technologies.
October 25, 2004
As the Clocks Go Back, Honda Moves Safety Forward
Honda has developed the world's first Intelligent Night Vision System which could dramatically cut night time pedestrian casualties. The system is already available on the Honda Legend in the Japanese market.
The new system uses "far infrared" cameras to detect pedestrians in or approaching the vehicle's path and provides the driver with visual and audio cautions to help prevent accidents involving pedestrians...
September 15, 2004
Valeo Wins the Innovation Award at Automechanika for its Lane Departure Warning System
PARIS, France -- The Lane Departure Warning System, designed by Valeo in partnership with Iteris, has won the Innovation Award for the Systems and Modules category at Automechanika in Germany, in recognition of the intelligence and usefulness of this new driving assistance system.
Using a miniature video sensor linked to an electronic control unit, the Lane Departure Warning System monitors the lane markings ahead of the car. If the car strays over the line without the indicator being activated, the driver is alerted by a sound signal or a vibration in the seat, and informed of the corrective action to take.
Preventing
unintentional lane changes will help to avoid a large number of
accidents. The latest figures show that drowsiness and inattention cause
a third of accidents in Europe and the United States. The system also
helps to encourage the correct use of direction indicators. The result of two years' collaboration with Iteris, this innovation will appear in North America on the Nissan Infiniti FX45 in early 2005. [Source: PR Newswire]
August 6, 2004
The Convergence® 2004 Conference -- Spotlighting Safety in Three Technical Sessions
Shifting its focus from occupants surviving auto crashes to accident avoidance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has set the stage for rapid growth in consumer awareness and demand for so-called active vehicle safety systems. Way ahead of the curve, the world's automakers and suppliers are primed to further explore in three technical sessions at Convergence 2004, Oct. 18-20, in Detroit, the dynamics of bringing to market advanced safety systems....
July 21, 2004
TRW Automotive Occupant Vision System First of its Type to Meet Government Regulations
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. today announced that the occupant sensing vision system developed by its TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. subsidiary now meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) FMVSS 208 static test requirements for out-of-position occupant sensing, and is the first system of its type to have been recognized by TRW customers for this achievement.
July 8, 2004
New Child Seats for Mercedes-Benz Cars
Not only have Mercedes produced a superb range of safety seats, for babies right through to children aged 12, but they have produced an article which explains a lot of the intricacies of this extremely important subject. This is well worth reading, not only by parents but also by all road safety professionals, around the world. Click here.
July 6, 2004
Optimal Steering in Critical Situations Bosch is developing a steering assistant for cars
If there is a risk of a car skidding, quick and accurate steering is required in order to keep the car safely on course. Bosch is currently developing an assistance function that will help the driver to steer optimally during critical situations. The system increases or reduces the support of the power steering. This makes it easier for the driver to execute the steering maneuver according to the situation.
In co-operation with a car manufacturer, Bosch is currently developing such a system for series production; testing with prototypes is being carried out.
May 6, 2004
The UAE University and an IBM Team are to Design a New Car Safety Device
Power Architecture 'Smart Box' will Reduce Vehicle Accidents and Injuries
United Arab Emirates University said the country has seen a steady climb in the number of auto-related fatalities in the past few years.
"[The] statistics are very alarming, especially when one considers that the UAE has some of the best maintained highways in the world," said Dr. Ali Alnoaimi, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UAE University.
To help solve the problem, the university has signed an agreement with IBM's Engineering & Technology Services organization to design, develop and test what the school termed a telematics "smart box," a tool similar to the so-called black box found in aircraft, which can capture, analyze and deliver relevant data via a wireless network. The University's College of Information Technology is co-developing the smart box with IBM.
May 5, 2004
Staying inside the lines: Automotive innovations promise improved road safety
Snaking between lines of orange cones in a new Corvette, the last thing you would want to do is take your hands off the steering wheel. Unless, that is, you are Chris Gerdes, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and co-director of the Stanford Center for Design Research (CDR).
During a demonstration last week on the roof of a Stanford parking garage, Gerdes sat in the driver's seat, pedal to the metal but hands well clear of the steering wheel. A novel combination of global positioning system (GPS) and computer technologies, which learned the route after just one pass through the cones, did the rest.
"This technology might save tens of thousands of lives each year," Gerdes said.
Full article, from the Stanford Report
May 3, 2004
The Valeo Lane Departure Warning System -- 2
Valeo
Raytheon Systems today announced that it has won its first production
contract for its Blind Spot Detection system with a major North
American-based vehicle manufacturer. The innovative radar-based system,
which is expected to be a world-first, is scheduled for production in
2006.
March 31, 2004
The Valeo Lane Departure Warning System -- 1
The Valeo Lane Departure Warning System, employing Iteris' technology, will make its market debut in North America on Nissan's Infiniti range. The innovative system is scheduled for introduction on the 2005 model FX and 2006 M45 following their unveiling at the New York Auto show in April 2004.
March 30, 2004
Active
Vehicle Safety at the Forefront of Highway Safety Initiatives in the USA Bill
Kozyra, president and CEO of Continental Teves North America, speaking
to participants during the Lifesavers 2004 conference in San Diego,
encouraged support of continued efforts to bring active vehicle safety
to the forefront of highway safety initiatives in North America.
March 23, 2004
The Volvo V50 Features Gentex Mirrors
Gentex Corporation, the leading supplier of automatic-dimming mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has begun shipping interior automatic-dimming mirrors for the Volvo Car Corporation's new V50 sports wagon, which is expected in showrooms this spring. The car will be sold worldwide. V50 vehicles sold in the United States will be equipped with a Gentex auto-dimming interior mirror that features a built-in electronic compass display utilizing Johnson Controls' PathPoint® Digital Compass System.
March 19, 2004
SAE 2004 World Congress Recap
The
SAE 2004 World Congress attendance was a success story of quality and
quantity. Ford's Phil Martens says the energy was up, feedback from many
of the exhibitors is great, the four day event featured an all-time high
number of presentations, and SAE professional development programs at
Detroit's Cobo Center during World Congress week shattered all previous
attendance records.
March 17, 2004
Haldex has been invited to participate in an EU funded development project regarding future brake systems on trucks.
The development project is called SPARC (Secure Propulsion using Advanced Redundant Control) and its overall objective is to substantially improve traffic safety and efficiency for heavy commercial vehicles by using advanced electronic systems, including preventive safety systems which compensate for driver mistakes.
March 16, 2004
Hyundai Mobis has today announced an ambitious plan to invest 1 trillion won in research and development, with the aim of becoming a global top-ten auto parts maker by 2010.
The firm -- an arm of the Hyundai Automotive Group comprising Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors -- will spend 140 billion won annually on R&D and expand the number of R&D staff from 600 to 1,700 over the next seven years.
A Hyundai Mobis executive said the company's R&D efforts will focus on the development of advanced systems and technologies, including smart vehicle safety systems and battery-less tire pressure monitoring systems.
Full article, from the Korea Times.
Mar 15, 2004
NEC Electronics Introduces V850E/RS1 Microcontroller for High-End Automotive Safety Applications
New 32-Bit Microcontroller Provides Fast Processing and Dedicated On-Board Safety Features to Ensure Real-Time Performance
Automotive
applications such as restraint control modules require fast processing
performance to deliver the real-time response needed when deploying an
airbag at the instant of impact. The V850E/RS1 controller core can
operate at 40 MHz and deliver 54 million instructions per second (MIPS),
providing the required real-time performance. The controller's use of
flash memory with hardware ECC greatly reduces the possibility of system
error.
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