Parts Company Works to Help With a Major Commercial Vehicle Problem - Blind Spots

HANOVER, Germany, Sept. 21, 2004; Delphi Corp. engineers are working to reduce the "blind spot" area for commercial vehicle truck drivers through Delphi's family of Forewarn(TM) technologies. Blind spots are a safety problem that continues to plague the commercial vehicle market. Due to the size, commercial vehicles present greater visibility challenges for drivers.

Delphi's Forewarn(TM) Collision Warning Systems are designed to warn drivers of pedestrians and obstacles in their blind spots to the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. By providing a 360-degree electronic cocoon around the perimeter of the vehicle, these devices warn drivers when objects are present in visually obstructed areas around the vehicle.

"Our experience in systems integration and object-detection based safety technologies in other markets enables us to move seamlessly into the commercial vehicle markets," said Dr. Glenn Widmann, Delphi chief engineer of integrated safety systems at Delphi Electronics & Safety. "We believe providing fleet operators and owners with our Forewarn technologies will help them save money and provide a safer driving environment for everyone on the road."

Delphi's long-range, mechanically scanning radar sensor detects objects up to 150 meters in front of the vehicle. The 76GHz sensor enables features such as headway alert, forward collision warning and pre-crash warning. Delphi offers a 24 GHz short-range radar sensor to help alert drivers to objects in the rear (Back-Up Aid) and/or sides (Side Alert) blind spots and front blind spots of the vehicle.

Delphi is unique in that it has 14 years experience in adapting complex military radar systems to the high-volume vehicle market. The company has produced more than 400,000 radar sensors for object detection and develops, tests and markets front, side and rear radar sensors in a number of markets. Delphi also markets a host of other object detection technologies including laser, infrared, ultrasonic and vision-based products for OEMs and the aftermarket.

Delphi is showing a specially equipped Integrated Safety Commercial Vehicle this week at the 60th International Motor Show (IAA) for Commercial Vehicles in exhibit Hall 17, Stand No. A06. The Truck showcases more than 15 technologies that not only address blind spots and help drivers avoid an accident but reduce the effects if an accident can't be avoided. These systems include headway alert, forward collision warning, pre-crash warning, re-settable seat belts, lane departure warning, back-up aid, turning assist, night vision, rollover detection, lateral door mounted airbag, driver workload management systems and adaptive Human Machine Interface countermeasures.