Smart Cars Predict Emergencies and Make Drivers Safer

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Smart Cars Predict Emergencies and Make Drivers Safer

by: JasonLancaster | Total views: 6 | Word Count: 542 | View PDF | Print View
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Vehicle safety is a puzzling issue for automakers. Despite improvements in vehicle safety measures, vehicle-related fatalities in the U.S. have stayed the same over the years, with about 40 000 deaths a year. Why are fatalities continuing at the same level despite technology which makes cars safer? One suggestion is that it's not unsafe cars that are responsible for these deaths - it's the unsafe drivers behind the wheel.

New research from Robert Bosch LLC suggests that two out of every three drivers don't hit the brakes hard enough before an accident. This doesn't mean the driver wants the accident - it's simply the nature of the human condition. During an accident, a multitude of things are competing for the driver's attention, from multiple warning systems going off and distractions from other passengers, to the simple act of processing what's going on in the surrounding environment. All these combined together can delay the decision-making process a few milliseconds too long, and impair the driver's ability to hit the brakes fast enough, or with enough force.

Bosch's solution is to implement a predictive brake-assist technology which prevents accidents by detecting, then reacting to possible accidents by activating the brakes. The technology monitors the traffic around the vehicle continuously, and determines stopping distance. The ongoing function of this technology in the vehicle's computer prepares the hydraulic brake for full-force braking when an accident is imminent.

There are over two-million front-end collisions each year, and while there is no way to know how much the predictive brake-assist system will reduce this number, it's reasonable to assume it will help in some way. However, there is some argument that this technology will actually hurt safety. The argument is that because drivers will not understand the technology, they will assume the car will do the majority of the braking for them, and will not attempt to stop the car themselves. This argument seems absurd, but should not be discounted completely. More testing should be completed before this type of safety feature is mandated.

Manufacturers are already beginning to develop predictive braking technology into their new vehicles. Some, such as Cadillac, Volvo, Toyota and BMW, are currently experimenting with the technology. Others have implemented the system into their new models. Mercedes-Benz's SL550 can detect an emergency by sensing the amount of pressure the driver applies to the brake pedal, and reacts by implementing the maximum power boost.

The predictive brake-assist system is just one example of a growing body of technology designed to improve vehicular safety. Another item currently in the works is the lane departure notification system. It uses an electronic eye to detect if the car is driving within the lines. If the vehicle drifts outside the lines, the system will emit an audible warning. This technology will most benefit drivers who may be falling asleep on the road.

Continuing with the notion that drivers themselves may be the greatest safety danger they face, Bosch has proposed adding a sixth star to the current vehicle safety rating system. This new star will rank a vehicle's accident avoidance systems, such as lane departure notification and predictive brake-assist. It will help consumers evaluate how well a vehicle will help them stay safe on the road, not just how well it will withstand an accident.
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