Future Automotive Systems

The vast mountain of available data contains extremely helpful information that can be mined for use in new safety concepts. Radar and ultrasound sensors for instance have been previously used only for convenience functions such as automatic distance control and parking assistance. But Bosch research has shown that, in combination with data from other systems, such sensors can also help avoid high-risk situations and prevent or mitigate accidents. If an accident threatens, CAPS activates an incremental safety concept: If a vehicle or obstacle is approaching at a dangerous speed from the front or the rear, electronic circuits shift the brake linings close to the disks, prime the braking assistant for immediate use and can, if necessary, trigger automatic emergency braking prior to a frontal collision. If an impact is unavoidable, restraint systems are prepared to deal with the type of accident involved — front, rear or side. Even after the crash, CAPS systems minimize kinetic energy within the vehicle. This is important because in many cases it’s not the primary crash that’s most dangerous but secondary events. For example, the vehicle may roll over, collide with other objects, or hurdle the guardrail. Bosch researchers thoroughly investigate each of these accident scenarios and integrate the results in the CAPS safety concept.

High-Speed Airbag
Sophisticated algorithms in the electronic stability program (ESP®, orange) can sense when a vehicle skids on ice or due to aquaplaning: The airbag control system (red) primes itself for a potential side impact. Earlier airbag release particularly improves occupant protection in side collisions, in which no crumple zone absorbs crash energy. Bosch engineers are linking the previously separate functions electronic stability program (ESP®) and occupant protection (airbag) under the name "Early Pole Crash Detection".

Collision Protection
The ultrasonic sensors of the parking assistant (blue) are connected to the headrest (green) via the airbag control system. If the acceleration sensor in the airbag control senses a collision and the ultrasonic sensors additionally indicate that this is a rear impact, then the crash-active headrest and other passive protective functions can be activated much faster than in the past. The headrest promptly shifts into the optimum position to prevent whiplash injuries, a frequent consequence of rear-end collisions.