MERITOR WABCO INTRODUCES ONGUARD COLLISION SAFETY SYSTEM WITH ACTIVE BRAKING
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems recently introduced OnGuard, a new technology designed to further improve vehicle safety. OnGuard is currently installed on nearly 200 vehicles and is targeted for third quarter 2008-availability as a factory-installed option at several OEM brands, including bus manufacturers. It is the North American adaptation of the WABCO Adaptive Cruise Control system for the European and Asian market.
OnGuard is a forward-looking, radar-based adaptive cruise control system with active braking. Active braking improves vehicle safety by automatically using the vehicle foundation brakes to alert the driver when a pre-set vehicle following distance is compromised, providing the maximum reaction time possible for the driver to take evasive actions.
Automatic foundation brake intervention distinguishes OnGuard from existing passive collision warning systems, which can only alert the driver to a potentially dangerous situation through alarm and engine braking. With this new product on the vehicle, if the pre-determined “safe” distance is compromised, OnGuard will provide visual and audible warning to the driver, vehicle deceleration through engine control, retarder control and most importantly, noticeable foundation braking. Foundation brake deceleration can be as great as one-third of a full brake application for the vehicle but within safe limits for the driver to take control.
Further advantage provided by OnGuard is that it fully integrates with Meritor WABCO’s anti-lock braking and stability control systems. OnGuard’s forward-looking mono-pulse radar sensor is capable of detecting multiple moving and fixed objects at distances up to 500 feet away. It quickly and reliably coordinates responses from the engine, transmission, and antilock braking systems through communications across the SAE J1939 data network. It provides feedback to the driver through the in-cab dash display, which includes a progressive audible alert.
