TRW Showcases Leading Driver Assist Systems from Hockenheimring Test Track
HOCKENHEIMRING, Germany — TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) is highlighting its strength in driver assist systems (DAS) and outlining a number of trends in sensor technologies expected in the coming years during the Company's bi-annual Ride and Drive media event at the Hockenheimring today.
Andrew Whydell, director product planning, TRW Electronics, said: "DAS has and will continue to be a focal point for the automotive industry as governments and industry bodies strive to reduce road fatalities worldwide. For example, the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have this year introduced active safety criteria into their assessment programs which can be met with forward-looking radar and video camera sensors. We are demonstrating our leading technologies within these systems today."
From 2014, Euro NCAP has introduced automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane departure warning (LDW) into its ratings scheme, and in North America, the IIHS has made fitment of forward collision warning (FCW) or AEB a requirement to receive its "Top Safety Pick +" consumer safety award. Going forward, from 2016 Euro NCAP will also introduce pedestrian AEB into its assessment program and is considering additional tests for other vulnerable road users including cyclists in future updates.
Whydell continued: "TRW has broad experience in radar and video camera systems and we anticipate exponential growth in these technologies over the next decade. We are now implementing our third and fourth generation sensor systems which not only help to address the more immediate industry requirements, but also play a fundamental role in enabling semi- and automated driving.
"As we move towards cars that allow the driver to take their hands off the wheel for periods of time, we'll start to see additional sensors being fitted to monitor 360° around the vehicle and also the driver's attention level. The systems will need to allow time for a distracted driver to be able to retake control of the vehicle. Radar sensors will therefore require a wider field of view at shorter range, combined with an overall longer range detection capability. Next generation video camera sensors will likely have lenses which can extend the range for detecting vehicles to 250m and beyond for highway driving, while also allowing you to see what is happening close to the vehicle when maneuvering at low speed.
"We continue to develop a flexible and scalable family of sensors that can fully address future industry requirements and support vehicle manufacturers across all vehicle segments and in all markets."
TRW has been developing driver assistance technology since the early 1970s and launched its first production radar in 2002 on the VW Phaeton and first video camera in 2008 on the Lancia Delta. Since then, TRW has fitted radars to vehicles including the Bentley Continental, VW Passat, and Citroen C4 Picasso, and cameras to vehicles including the Nissan Qashqai, Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler 200, Chevrolet Silverado, Hyundai i40, and Iveco Daily vans.
About TRW
With 2013 sales of $17.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 24 countries and employs approximately 65,000 people worldwide. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at www.trw.com.
Source
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
Contact: Colleen Hanley/ TRW Automotive, 734.855.2610/ colleen.hanley@trw.com; or Louise Colledge/ TRW Automotive, (44) 121.506.5317 / louise.colledge@trw.com
Web Site: http://www.trwauto.com
