The fabulous: 10 technologies that have improved the cars we drive
 | Smart Wipers |
VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
Jens Meiners | Tim Moran | Automotive News Europe / October 30, 2006 - 1:00 am - - NE’s Jens Meiners and Tim Moran name their choices for the best features in today’s cars – and list the leading suppliers of the winning systems
Blind-spot detection
Blind-spot detection systems use bumper-mounted radar sensors that continuously monitors the rear blind spots on both sides of the car.
When a vehicle enters either blind spot, for example a car trying to pass, the system provides a visual warning, such as a light on the side-view mirror (above, left).
If you have ever had serve back into your lane to avoid hitting a passing vehicle, you know how deadly the blind spot can be.
The system doesn’t free you from the responsibility of turning your head to check before you change lanes – but if you don’t, at least you’ll be warned before making what could be a fatal move.
Blind-spot detectors
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Parking assist Front and rear sensors, either ultrasonic or radar-based, trigger an audible warning when the driver gets too close to an object. In cars with a rear-vision camera, a picture of what is behind the vehicle is sent to the screen on the navigation system to make backing easier. Cars equipped with self-park solutions have a computer that uses inputs from Global Positioning System satellites, the car’s navigation system, steering-wheel sensors and a rear- vision camera to provide the necessary information to guide the car into a parking space. Parking assist devices improve anyone’s ability to safely get into a tight space, which is great news for everyone except those who make a living fixing dented and scratched body parts.
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Electronic stability control Electronic stability control helps prevent skids and swerves that can happen in an emergency. This makes ESC especially effective in combating rollover accidents. The electronic control unit at the heart of the ESC system brakes each wheel individually and decreases engine torque to maintain a stable direction of travel. ESC continuously monitors key inputs such as yaw rate and wheel speed. The reason ESC is great is because a computer can control braking in a skid better than any human. Current generations of ESC have become so discreet in operation that they can make vehicles feel more agile even at their limits.
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Navigation systems Navigation systems rely on signals from Global Positioning System satellites to determine the vehicle’s location. That information is matched with the map database stored on a CD or DVD to track a car’s movements and provide guidance to a destination. In some new systems, traffic alerts are fed into the car so that the system can adjust the route to avoid congestion. Navigation systems are a superb addition because they save you from having to ask for directions and prevent you from fighting with crumpled, poster-sized city maps while trying to find your way.
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Smart wipers Rain-sensing wiper systems detect moisture on the windshield and automatically select the appropriate speed that the wipers should use. The system sends out a beam of infrared light. When the windshield is clear the light reflects to the sensor, but when there is moisture on the windshield less light returns to the sensor. Based on the amount of light it receives, the sensor determines the intensity of the rain and adjusts the speed of the wipers accordingly. It is a relief to forget about the wipers and focus on driving, especially when weather conditions are severe.
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Tire pressure monitoring Tire pressure monitoring systems warn the driver when any tire falls below 25 percent of its recommended inflation rate. Sensors in the anti-lock braking system, or attached to the inner end of the valve stem or mounted to the wheel can warn the driver if a change in tire rotation due to loss of pressure occurs. Since few drivers ever check their tires’ pressures, the monitors provide peace of mind – and they surely will prevent many bad accidents.
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Adaptive lights Adaptive lighting systems divide into two broad categories. One uses additional bulbs housed in specially engineered reflectors within the headlight lens assembly to switch on extra lights. The other uses motors and projector lenses to mechanically pivot one or both headlamps. Sensors constantly measure speed and steering angle to provide maximum light output without blinding oncoming traffic. Adaptive lights give drivers crucial extra seconds to react to what’s around the next corner.
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Seat belt pretensioners Seat belt pretensioners tighten the belt, making sure you are firmly tucked into your seat when an accident occurs. Crash sensors trigger a pyrotechnical device or a spring that instantly retract even a loosely worn seat belt. Seat belt pretensioners also keep occupants a safe distance away from a deploying airbag, which has the potential to injure occupants. In a bad accident, pretensioners can be the difference between life and death.
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Dual-stage airbag/occupant sensing
Dual-stage airbags deploy at different times depending on the severity of an accident and the weight and position of the occupant. While airbags have been a statistical success, they can cause serious injuries and even death if occupants are not seated properly or wearing their seat belts. Dual-stage airbags and occupant sensors make sure that the right amount of protection is given at the right time.
Safety specialists
- Autoliv
- Delphi
- Denso
- IEE
- Johnson Controls
- Lear
- Magna International
- Robert Bosch
- Siemens VDO Automotive
- Takata Petri
- Visteon
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