Surround Sensors - Enablers for Predictive Safety Systems 2006-21-0032

Driver support systems without active vehicle interaction are convenience functions and can be viewed as a pre-stage to vehicle guidance and collision avoidance. By information to or an early warning of the driver a quicker reaction of the driver can be achieved.

Today, Long Range Radar (LRR) and Lidar are used for the ACC function. With a range of up to 200m and superior signal quality, LRR is the key technology and main enabler for future predictive safety systems.

Video technology has been introduced in a German Luxury class vehicle in 2005 for a system for night vision improvement. Also passive infrared sensing based thermal radiation sensors are used in other systems.

Mid and short range applications are covered by various technologies based on Radar and optical sensing as well as on emerging new technologies.

The highest demand regarding performance and reliability is put on active safety systems. By further improving sensor performance and sensor data fusion collision avoidance and collision mitigation functions will become realistic.