Today’s driver assistance system revolution began with Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), which added a “brain” and “eyes” to transform traditional heavy vehicle braking from a purely mechanical function to one vastly improved by electronics. An ABS’ electronic control unit (ECU) is the brain containing the algorithms that use input from a vehicle’s wheel speed sensors – the “eyes” – to determine if a course of action is needed to mitigate a skid situation. If so, the system engages modulators to release the brakes and “cycle” them, to help the driver control a skid. This technology provided the foundation for advancing technologies to help drivers in more situations to control their trucks and avoid crashes, or have the opportunity to reduce the intensity of crash situations.
By adding sensors to measure steer angle, yaw-rate, and lateral acceleration, and beefing up ECU algorithms, vehicle safety engineers developed electronic stability control (ESC), which helps drivers mitigate not only rollovers, but loss-of-control situations on dry, wet, and snow- and ice-covered roadways. The incorporation of forward-facing radar units into such systems – along with still more advanced ECU technology – further led to adaptive cruise control (ACC) and then collision mitigation systems, with the capability to provide not just driver alerts, but interventions. If necessary, these systems can dethrottle, engage the engine retarder, and apply the brakes, all to complement – not replace – safe drivers and safe driving practices.
Developments in sensory
From ABS built on an ECU and wheel speed sensors alone to full-stability control and collision mitigation – all in the last 20 years. Imagine what the next two decades will bring! So where do we go from here?
Automation is what the future holds. The technological path leads toward increasing automated applications that will further assist drivers in a variety of situations on the roadway. The first step for Bendix along this path has been to add a camera to the radar and create the recently introduced Bendix Wingman Fusion system – a system that takes input from both the camera and the radar to deliver a higher level of collision mitigation. The camera and the radar work together, enabling the system to cross-check information for an earlier read of the situation, and deliver an appropriate intervention earlier than previous radar-only based system.
Just as important is the capability to reduce false alerts and false interventions. While false alerts can be a driver annoyance, false interventions can be dangerous – for instance, a vehicle braking for a non-threatening obstacle or overhead signing could increase the possibility of a crash if another vehicle is following too closely.
On the pathway to driverless vehicles, additional sensors that gather more information for a system, along with more advanced algorithms to boost the system’s intelligence, will help drive more autonomous applications. Over the next 10 years, these technologies will continue to help drivers do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. Today’s driver assistance systems can control acceleration and braking; as we look to the future, integration of steering control is the next step. This will assist in automated applications such as lane-keeping, self-parking, loading-dock assist, and even providing automated driving on long stretches of roadway. It’s worth stressing that these systems are designed to help drivers, not replace them. Advanced safety technologies are not intended to enable or encourage aggressive driving, and there is no substitute for safe drivers practicing safe driving habits, supported by ongoing, proactive training.
What lies in the future
Expectations for driverless vehicles are high, but getting to truly driverless vehicles will take some time. While technology has advanced greatly and will continue to evolve at a fast pace, societal acceptance and government regulations will not. Incidents involving driverless functions and concerns about vehicle cybersecurity will ensure that time is taken to develop robust and secure systems. The need for virtually flawless driverless system performance that can cope with the myriad situations that human drivers face will require time, testing, and tweaking. It’s also critical that a driverless vehicle’s control systems cannot be hacked by outsiders. Performance expectations and specifications will be required to ensure systems perform properly and simply, so drivers can enjoy the benefits of the system without worrying about needing to take over immediately when the system can’t handle a particular situation. Driverless vehicles will come – but not for a good while yet!
For the moment, the focus remains on increasing safety and performance on the road, now and into the future. And it all started with brakes, brains, and vision.
Fred Andersky is Director, Customer Solutions for the Controls Group and Director of Government & Industry Affairs at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC. He has been involved with safety technologies at Bendix for over 10 years and presents to government, industry, and media about current and future technologies. Fred holds a Class A CDL and often drives demonstrations of Bendix technologies.
