Smart Cars Predict Emergencies and Make Drivers Safer
Vehicle safety is something of a puzzle for automakers. Improved vehicle safety technology have made cars safer than ever, yet the number of vehicle-related deaths in the U.S. has remained steady at 40 000 fatalities each year. Why haven’t all these new vehicle safety measures made us safer? One company has hypothesized that the problem lies not with the cars, but rather, with the drivers.
Robert Bosch LLC has come out with new research that found two out of three drivers don’t hit the brakes with enough force just before an accident. This isn’t because the driver wants the accident – it’s because the overload of information and stimuli, from multiple warning systems, distracting passengers, and the mental load of processing events on the road, all compete for mental resources, and slow down the decision-making process by a few vital milliseconds. The result is the driver hitting the brakes just a moment too late, or not quite hard enough.
The solution, according to Bosch, is a predictive brake-assist technology that will detect an anticipated accident and react by activating the brakes. The system will continuously monitor the surroundings on the road to determine stopping distance. With these calculations constantly running in the car’s computer, the hydraulic brake is properly engaged for full-force braking once an impact is evident.
Although there’s not enough research yet to know for sure, it’s reasonable to think the predictive brake-assist technology will be useful in preventing some of the over 2 million front-end collisions that occur every year. However, some argue that this technology might actually decrease safety, because drivers might not fully understand how the system works and erroneously believe it will do most of the braking for them. They then might not try to stop the car themselves, increasing their risk of accident. This argument seems inane, but shouldn’t be completely dismissed. More research and testing are needed before this system can be made mandatory.
Some manufacturers are already using predictive braking technology. Mercedes Benz has implemented the system in their SL550. Based on the amount of pressure the driver places on the brake pedal, the car is able to sense an emergency and apply the maximum power boost. Many other manufacturers, such as Toyota, Volvo, Cadillac, and BMW are also testing the technology.
The predictive brake-assist technology is only one new electronic system to improve automotive safety. In addition to Bosch’s proposed predictive brake assist technology, there’s also something called “lane departure notification.” Simply stated, lane departure notification uses an electric eye to determine if the car is driving outside the lines. This system would most benefit drivers who may be falling asleep, as driving outside the lane will trigger an audible warning.
In keeping with the idea that drivers themselves can be a safety issue, Bosch has also proposed modifying current vehicle safety ratings to include a sixth star. The sixth star will be used to rank a vehicle’s accident avoidance systems, such as predictive braking and lane departure notification. It’s a good way for consumers to compare a vehicle’s complete safety rating, rather than just its crashworthiness.
Vehicle safety is something of a puzzle for automakers. Improved vehicle safety technology have made cars safer than ever, yet the number of vehicle-related deaths in the U.S. has remained steady at 40 000 fatalities each year. Why haven't all...
Smart Cars Can Protect Drivers by Predicting EmergenciesWhen it comes to vehicle safety, automakers are a little puzzled. How can it be that vehicle-related fatalities in the U.S. have been steady at 40,000 deaths a year even as vehicle safety measures continue to improve? Is all this...
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