A research project by Ford Motor Company and Auburn University shows that global positioning system (GPS) satellites that can "talk" to cars could help prevent serious accidents in the future.
The researchers have found potential for a GPS satellite to act as an early warning system that detects when a vehicle is about to lose control and communicate with the vehicle's stability control systems and other safety features to prevent a rollover or other serious accident.
"A satellite orbiting the earth could someday prevent an auto accident," says Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Ford's Chief Technical Officer and vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering. "We applaud the Auburn team for these advancements and look forward to working together on the next phase of this research, including developing prototype vehicles."
The project is part of Ford Motor Company's $4 million investment in university research programs in 2009, including 16 safety projects.
Auburn University's GPS and Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory, directed by Dr. David Bevly, received a three-year, $120,000 grant from Ford in 2008 as part of company's University Research Program. The research team is investigating the use of combining GPS and inertial measurement units data to provide precise information on a vehicle's motion. The data could be used to improve performance of a vehicle's electronic stability control system, a computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids.
"Stability control is one of the most important safety technologies of this decade," says Jeff Rupp, manager, Ford Active Safety Systems Engineering. "Ford is committed to safety leadership, and research partnerships like our work with Auburn help us achieve success."
The project's breakthroughs include developing algorithms combining data from sensors in Ford vehicles with data from GPS receivers. This coordination of data has led to predictive models that can calculate a vehicle's roll angle, sideslip and velocities under various driving conditions.
For more information, visit www.ford.com.
