ELECTRONIC CO-DRIVERS WITH EXTRA SENSES
Increasing traffic density imposes even greater demands on drivers. Even a momentary lack of attention in road traffic can cause an accident with severe consequences. Today, Bosch driver assistance systems not only help to avoid accidents – they also reduce the risk of injury and the severity of injuries if accidents happen.
ACC adaptive cruise control, for example, reduces the risk of rear-end collisions and offers more comfortable driving on the freeways, as well as reducing fuel consumption by making driving style more moderate. The LDW lane departure warning system warns the driver if he is in danger of leaving his lane unintentionally, and thus of putting himself and other drivers at risk. When it is dark, the active infrared Night Vision system helps drivers to recognize obstacles. They can do so far earlier with this system than when relying on eyesight and low-beam headlights alone.
With Bosch driver assistance systems already a feature of many passenger cars, the huge potential of this safety technology in vehicles like buses is becoming apparent. Accidents have serious consequences, therefore, political demands – such as the EU Commission's proposal to introduce a lane departure warning system and a predictive emergency braking system for trucks and buses in 2013 – point to a future in which driver assistance systems will play an increasingly important role. Experts estimate that these systems could save some 2 500 lives in the European Union every year, and spare many more people serious injuries.
Even now, Bosch is creating new functions by interlinking different safety systems. This results in new and enhanced assistance functions. Radar sensors monitor the rear space behind the vehicle in order to prevent imminent collisions. Without blinding oncoming traffic, "Intelligent Headlamp Control" automatically controls the headlights so that they illuminate the road in the best possible way – in town, on country roads, or on freeways. Intelligent video technology recognizes pedestrians and cyclists on the lane ahead of the vehicle and can read traffic signs. This makes video systems important sensor elements for future driver assistance systems. If the Bosch engineers interlink video cameras and ACC radar sensors, the systems monitor the area in front of the vehicle, recognize objects, and automatically trigger reactions such as emergency braking.
Bosch also utilizes its competence with driver assistance systems for passenger cars, together with electronic components and sophisticated sensor systems, to make trucks and buses safer. For this purpose, Bosch cooperates with its affiliated company, Knorr-Bremse – Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge, an important manufacturer of braking systems. This company adapts these driver assistance systems to the truck and bus technology and supplies them to these markets.