MolaKule
Staff member
Sensors with eyes, ears to enhance future cars
Conference unveils developing technology
The Detroit News 10/23/02
author: Ed Garsten
(Copyright 2002)
DETROIT -- Light-bending headlamps, radar beams that bathe the blind spots, optical sensors that prevent pinching fingers in rising windows and tiny
cameras that add artificial retinas when driving in reverse are some of the new technologies that would create an electronic safety cocoon for drivers and
passengers.
Auto companies and suppliers are demonstrating the array of extra eyes, ears and sensors this week in Cobo Center at the Convergence 2002
transportation electronics conference.
"Seeing and Being Seen" is the moniker French supplier Valeo gives its bundle of sensor-laden helping hands for drivers.
The rain-light-transition sensor takes the brain work out of deciding on whether or not to turn on headlights or windshield wipers by detecting seven
different light variations including day, night, tunnel, pretunnel, rain, garage and trees.
Add the rain-dirt sensor to the mix and wipers turn on automatically not only when it's raining, but if it decides the windshield is too dirty, giving the glass a
spritz of washer fluid and a swipe with the wiper.
Like shifty eyes in the night, Valeo's bending light headlamps rotate along with the steering wheel for added visibility.
Sensors determine the speed and angle of rotation depending on how fast a vehicle is traveling entering a turn.
"You can see where you're steering," said William Romesburg, Valeo manager of North American business development.
If a vehicle is turning at less than 20 miles an hour the bending function is triggered by the turn signals and the headlamps are deflected full left or right
depending on the direction of the turn.
The combination of side and rear view mirrors along with a quick turn of the head is the conventional way to detect if a vehicle is in the blind spot, but even
that's not foolproof.
Together with defense contractor Raytheon Corp., Valeo is developing a blind spot detection system that uses radar to warn drivers of a vehicle they
might not be able to see.
If the driver tries to move into a lane where there is another car or truck, the radar sends a signal that activates a warning light and sound.
Valeo also is featuring a rear-obstruction system that combines yet another sensor with a tiny camera installed just above the license plate holder
Several automakers are interested in the system, said Romesburg.
Troy-based Delphi Corp. is demonstrating another technology that looks drivers right in the eyes to detect possible problems.
"The eyes are the gateway to the soul," Delphi's Walter Kosiak said at a technical briefing during the three-day conference, which ends today.
Delphi's eye tracking technology can track a driver's gaze and blink patterns. How frequently a driver blinks can indicated fatigue, for instance.
A tipsy driver may stare into space and show little eye movement. If the driver is coming to a stop and gazing to the left but turns sharply right, that could
send a message to sensors in the car that there is some kind of problem outside the vehicle.
If little ones, or inattentive big ones, forget to remove their fingers or arms or heads before they're pinched by power windows, Delphi's SmartWindow
system is designed to prevent such injuries.
It uses optical sensors to stop or reverse power windows before they come in contact with obstacles.
The heads of two national groups applaud the new technology, especially back-up aids and blind spot detection systems.
"We do like backup devices because there are so many children that are run over every year in driveways and parking lots," said Clarence Ditlow,
director of the Center for Auto Safety. He's concerned however that if drivers depend only on alarms without looking for themselves, they might react to
certain situations too late.
"People are fallable. People drive when they're tired. To the extent they help us be better drivers, that's good," said Joan Claybrook, president of Public
Citizen.
That said, Claybrook says the auto companies might well not be so quick to spend money on sensors and radars.
"If they're going to spend money, I'd like to see them put it into basics like better seat belts and stronger roofs."
Conference unveils developing technology
The Detroit News 10/23/02
author: Ed Garsten
(Copyright 2002)
DETROIT -- Light-bending headlamps, radar beams that bathe the blind spots, optical sensors that prevent pinching fingers in rising windows and tiny
cameras that add artificial retinas when driving in reverse are some of the new technologies that would create an electronic safety cocoon for drivers and
passengers.
Auto companies and suppliers are demonstrating the array of extra eyes, ears and sensors this week in Cobo Center at the Convergence 2002
transportation electronics conference.
"Seeing and Being Seen" is the moniker French supplier Valeo gives its bundle of sensor-laden helping hands for drivers.
The rain-light-transition sensor takes the brain work out of deciding on whether or not to turn on headlights or windshield wipers by detecting seven
different light variations including day, night, tunnel, pretunnel, rain, garage and trees.
Add the rain-dirt sensor to the mix and wipers turn on automatically not only when it's raining, but if it decides the windshield is too dirty, giving the glass a
spritz of washer fluid and a swipe with the wiper.
Like shifty eyes in the night, Valeo's bending light headlamps rotate along with the steering wheel for added visibility.
Sensors determine the speed and angle of rotation depending on how fast a vehicle is traveling entering a turn.
"You can see where you're steering," said William Romesburg, Valeo manager of North American business development.
If a vehicle is turning at less than 20 miles an hour the bending function is triggered by the turn signals and the headlamps are deflected full left or right
depending on the direction of the turn.
The combination of side and rear view mirrors along with a quick turn of the head is the conventional way to detect if a vehicle is in the blind spot, but even
that's not foolproof.
Together with defense contractor Raytheon Corp., Valeo is developing a blind spot detection system that uses radar to warn drivers of a vehicle they
might not be able to see.
If the driver tries to move into a lane where there is another car or truck, the radar sends a signal that activates a warning light and sound.
Valeo also is featuring a rear-obstruction system that combines yet another sensor with a tiny camera installed just above the license plate holder
Several automakers are interested in the system, said Romesburg.
Troy-based Delphi Corp. is demonstrating another technology that looks drivers right in the eyes to detect possible problems.
"The eyes are the gateway to the soul," Delphi's Walter Kosiak said at a technical briefing during the three-day conference, which ends today.
Delphi's eye tracking technology can track a driver's gaze and blink patterns. How frequently a driver blinks can indicated fatigue, for instance.
A tipsy driver may stare into space and show little eye movement. If the driver is coming to a stop and gazing to the left but turns sharply right, that could
send a message to sensors in the car that there is some kind of problem outside the vehicle.
If little ones, or inattentive big ones, forget to remove their fingers or arms or heads before they're pinched by power windows, Delphi's SmartWindow
system is designed to prevent such injuries.
It uses optical sensors to stop or reverse power windows before they come in contact with obstacles.
The heads of two national groups applaud the new technology, especially back-up aids and blind spot detection systems.
"We do like backup devices because there are so many children that are run over every year in driveways and parking lots," said Clarence Ditlow,
director of the Center for Auto Safety. He's concerned however that if drivers depend only on alarms without looking for themselves, they might react to
certain situations too late.
"People are fallable. People drive when they're tired. To the extent they help us be better drivers, that's good," said Joan Claybrook, president of Public
Citizen.
That said, Claybrook says the auto companies might well not be so quick to spend money on sensors and radars.
"If they're going to spend money, I'd like to see them put it into basics like better seat belts and stronger roofs."
