DETROIT, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- With the APIA project -- APIA stands for
Active Passive Integration Approach -- Continental started work on the car of
the future that will feature electronic reflexes that will help drivers
maintain control and avoid accidents. Now two automakers have commissioned
the company to undertake advanced design work on the system which can take
action to help prevent accidents or at least minimize the risk of injury.
As it goes about its work, APIA relies on data interchange between all of
the active and passive safety systems that collect information on the
activities of the driver, the behavior of the vehicle, and the status of the
driving environment. The key component of APIA is the danger control module.
For any given situation, this module computes a hazard potential which
reflects the current accident risk.
Staged response to accident risk
If the hazard potential reaches a defined limit, the danger control module
initiates a staged hazard response strategy. If an accident appears imminent
because the driver fails to recognize that the vehicle ahead has slowed or
braked suddenly, the following APIA responses are possible:
* a visual or haptic (sensory) warning to the driver
* pressure in the brake system is boosted for rapid reaction
* the seat belts are pre-tensioned to take up the slack
* the side windows and sliding roof are closed
* APIA actively applies the brakes up to a deceleration of 0.3 g
* front seats are brought to the ideal position for the airbags
If the driver then also applies the brakes, the extended Brake Assist
system detects the start of emergency braking from the rapid motion of the
driver's foot from gas pedal to brake. As the system pressure has already
been boosted, maximum brake pressure is applied straight away. The reversible
seat belt tensioners are activated with maximum power. And if, despite
emergency braking, a collision occurs, the danger control module activates the
smart airbags according to the type and severity of the impact.
The full range of responses described above is only available if the
vehicle is fitted with a brake system with externally controllable ESP, and
with ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control). Without ACC sensors, the danger control
module bases its decisions on the control status of active safety systems such
as Brake Assist, ESP, and Active Rollover Protection (ARP), in order to
improve passive safety using less comprehensive measures.
Environment sensors and image processing are key technologies
State-of-the-art vehicle environment sensors play a key role in the APIA
system. Continental Temic is currently working on a pre-crash sensor by the
name of Closing Velocity (CV). This highly dynamic sensor, which features a
wide short-distance detection range, is ideal for detecting events in the
vicinity of the vehicle and enables quite precise predictions of the severity
and direction of an impending impact. The CV sensor can also be used in
combination with additional contact sensors in pedestrian protection systems.
In vehicles of the future which will benefit from full-speed-range ACC,
data on objects in the immediate vicinity will also be available courtesy of
24 GHz radar sensors, for example. Such data will be useful not only for new
comfort and convenience features such as active parking assistance, with
automatic steering and braking support, but also for improved APIA functions
such as the effective use of reversible passive safety systems.
Image-processing camera systems will allow an even more dramatic
improvement in safety. These systems will not only detect objects near to a
vehicle but classify them as well. Safety systems can then be activated as
appropriate for a given situation, providing even more effective protection
for vehicle occupants and making active pedestrian protection systems a
realistic prospect.
Above and beyond this, engineers at Continental Teves are currently
working on ways of using road-map data digitized for navigation purposes to
optimize driver assistance systems. If a vehicle approaches a sharp bend too
fast, for example, the driver can be warned by means of an active gas pedal.
And if ACC is activated, the system can either automatically slow the vehicle
in good time, or prompt the driver to do so.
With 2002 sales of approximately $12 billion (US), Continental AG is a
major supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics,
tires and technical rubber products. Continental Automotive Systems' North
American operation is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich. For additional
information, visit these websites: http://www.conti-online.com and
http://www.contitevesna.com
SOURCE Continental Teves
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Related links:
http://www.conti-online.com
http://www.contitevesna.com
CONTACT:
Jim Gill, M.S., APR of Continental Teves,
+1-248-393-5210, cell: +1-248-882-6309, or
jim.gill@usa.contiteves.com
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