Vision Sensing Enables Safer Vehicles
by Randy Frank, contributing editor Vision sensing is right at the top of the list of enabling technologies that will make future vehicles safer. Proponents envision six or more cameras looking at the road ahead, adjacent vehicles and lanes, and obstacles behind the vehicles, as well as passengers and the driver. While these cameras and vision sensors have appeared on a few high-end vehicles today, this article uncovers engineering efforts under way to bring this capability to mainstream automobiles and provide all the functionality that automakers are considering for vision-enabled safer vehicles....
Special Report
Infotainment the dashboard dilemma
by John H. Day Contributing Editor According to the research firm Frost & Sullivan, the automotive infotainment systems market is experiencing rapid growth in all five segments navigation...
Technical Features
Automakers adapt new ways to control power
by Shawn Slusser The increasing complexity of automotive electronic systems has spurred automotive companies and their electronics suppliers to explore and adapt approaches...
CMOS Image Sensors Gather Momentum for Safety
by Ashok Bindra Editorial Director, RF Design Safety is on the mind of every automaker. A number of vision-sensing technologies are being pursued to tackle this problem. From adaptive cruise control...
As Accelerometers Spread, They'll Get Better, Smarter
by David Morrison Editor, Power Electronics Technology A recently released marketing report optimistically projects sales of automotive-targeted MEMS accelerometers over the next five years, suggesting just...
Technology Update from Germany
VOLKSWAGEN AND CONTINENTAL PARTNER Volkswagen AG and Continental Automotive Systems have announced a strategic partnership for the development and supply of the power electronics for future...
PRODUCING SMART BATTERIES IN SOUTH KOREA The Swiss battery producer IQ Power (www.iqpower.com) is setting up a modern battery factory in South Korea where three million smart batteries per year...
TYCO TAKES OVER RELAY SEGMENT FROM BOSCH Tyco Electronics (www.tycoelectronics.com) has taken over the relay segment of Robert Bosch GmbH. The takeover is subject to the approval of the antitrust...
EUROPEAN CAR BUYERS BECOMING MORE COST CONSCIOUS The demand for hybrid vehicles and inexpensive fuel-saving cars will increase considerably in the next five years. This is the result of a KPMG survey...
ALL-ROUND SUPPLIER OF CONTROL UNITS The MBtech Group (www.mbtech-group.com), a subsidiary of the DaimlerChrysler Group, is now offering control units for which there is a demand for small...
Under the Hood
UNDER THE HOOD OF THE 2006 LEXUS LX470
by Randy Frank Contributing Editor Imaging systems are among the safety and luxury features on the Lexus LX470. The LX's cameras address the view in front of and behind the vehicle. The...
Executive Viewpoints
A New Vision on the Cost of Safety
by Paul Gallagher Micron Technology Inc. Advancements in imaging and digital processing capabilities are enabling auto manufacturers to provide enhanced design features and regulated safety solutions...
Putting The Best Face on Your Interior Displays
by Dale Maunu Optrex America Inc. Your interior displays reflect the character of your vehicle. A car that might look good from the outside can lose a lot of its appeal when the prospective...
New Products
LED MODULE PerkinElmer's All Color Ultrabright LED (ACULED) is a multi-use compact LED designed for specialty lighting applications, including automotive interior...
