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LIVONIA, Mich. – TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has unveiled its range of Forward Collision Warning systems based on camera and radar technology that address a variety of customer and market requirements.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced upgrading of the U.S. NCAP program, beginning in late 2009, that will include active safety technologies – Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control and Lane Departure Warning systems – which will be featured on vehicle stickers as a means to inform consumers.
TRW's forward looking camera features miniaturized packaging and can also provide Lane Departure Warning functionality to satisfy two NCAP requirements within one system. TRW says its cost-effective radar solutions make mass market adoption of critical safety systems like Forward Collision Warning possible and the system can be easily upgraded to include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).Forward Collision Warning systems are designed to alert the driver of a vehicle if there is a risk of impending collision with another vehicle or stationary object. Warning methods can include audio tones, visual warnings, a pulse in the brake pedal and/or a jerk of the seatbelt using a seatbelt retractor.
Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales & business development, says: "In a number of cases drivers do not respond at all to an impending collision, respond too late or not effectively enough. By providing earlier warning to the driver, collisions can potentially be avoided altogether or will take place with lower relative speeds, enabling the vehicle's passive safety systems to provide better passenger protection.
"TRW is offering an array of solutions to deliver Forward Collision Warning across the range of vehicle segments. Our intent is to support our customers in offering affordable intelligent safety solutions. We have a strategy of developing Cognitive Safety Systems: technologies that sense the environment and respond to help offer enhanced vehicle safety."
TRW's camera-based FCW system uses a forward-looking monocular camera with object recognition capability, mounted on the windshield behind the rear-view mirror. This is linked to a warning device which may give visual, audible or other feedback to the driver that a potential collision is imminent. TRW will develop the warning according to the vehicle manufacturers' preference.
For more information visit www.trw.com.
