Volkswagen is working on safety systems that not only save occupant lives but also reduce injuries to vulnerable road users.
In an interview with Auto Express, VW techs outlined what’s coming in new driver assistance functions and how vulnerable road users will be better protected.
Active bonnets are a big development in preventing serious pedestrian harm. On impact, they pop up to increase the distance between the victim hit the engine block, decreasing the chance of serious injury.
Volkswagen has a new system – Proactive Pedestrian Protection. Instead of using accelerometers and pyrotechnics, VW utilises the sensors from the AEB set-up to detect the size of an obstruction. If it is deemed to be a pedestrian the bonnet pops up ,utilising a spring-loaded mechanism.
Without pyrotechnics it is much easier and less expensive to repair after a collision, and to reset it.
The same system also looks after those inside the car. If it senses something is about to collide with your car the system reacts to keep you firmly in place. The pre-tensioning seatbelts pull the occupants back into their seats, while the windows close to optimise airbag effectiveness. The car also activates the hazard warning lights and automatically calls the emergency services.
If you’ve fallen asleep at the wheel or are having a medical emergency, the ‘Emergency Assist’ system can detect the lack of wheel inputs. A message tells the driver to regain control of the vehicle. If there’s no response, the car automatically creates small jolts via the brake and pre-tensioning seatbelt systems to rouse the driver.
Failing that, the car will then pull over onto the hard shoulder, utilising its sensors to change lanes safely if need be. It will also activate the hazard lights and honk the horn to attract others, while dialling the emergency services. Doors unlock and the dome lights switch on to facilitate access if the driver is unconscious or seriously unwell.
Pulling out of a junction can be dangerous. VW’s Intersection Assist avoids collisions by using the radar detectors on each side of the front bumper. These identify cross traffic and apply the brakes within 400 milliseconds. This feature can also operate at blind junctions and at speeds of up to about 70km/h.
VW is developing a new system using existing hardware that can avoid a cyclist or other vulnerable road user while the car remains within its lane. It all happens without any driver intervention. The car can also deliver jolts through the braking system to make the driver aware of a potential hazard.
The system is in its pre-developmental stage but could ultimately deploy as an over-the-air update.
Volkswagen has its own version of Level 2 autonomous driving, which incorporates elements such as adaptive cruise control, automatic lane centering and even automatic lane changing.
Now it is integrating ‘swarm’ data. With millions of VWs on the streets this technology can observe the speed and direction of movement of surrounding vehicles. And it can also predict hazards, stay in lanes without road markings or redirect sat-nav routes to avoid traffic congestion.
Another system under development is traffic light detection which will bring the car to a stop automatically at a red light. It also allows the car to proceed by itself when the light turns green.
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