ABI Research Identifies Safety As A Major Factor At Convergence Automotive Electronics Show

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.--Oct. 2, 20046, 2004--Last week's "Convergence" automotive electronics trade show in Detroit highlighted increasing integration across the several industries supplying intelligent subsystems for automotive safety.

ABI Research analyst Robert LaGuerra reports that many of the safety technologies demonstrated relied on increased cross-industry collaboration between automotive OEMs and the (often smaller) firms supplying the components, subsystems and incorporated standardized networks that unite to form real automotive advances.

Some companies are also moving outside their core areas of expertise to fill this demand. Micron, for example, traditionally a DRAM semiconductor maker, featured their new CMOS image-sensor that can be used in blind-spot, lane-departure and obstacle-avoidance systems.

LaGuerra sees these developments as positive. He says, "Automotive electronics have finally caught up with the rest of the automotive industry by providing components with life cycles of over ten years, and partnerships aimed at better integration of the new systems."

"Sensor fusion" is another notable trend, he adds. Diverse systems must work together to enhance safety. For example, when you brake hard, the car's sensor will dampen the front suspension to keep all wheels firmly on the ground; meanwhile its camera looks ahead and identifies an imminent collision, so the car tightens the seat belts and primes the airbag system.

Integration is growing at corporate levels too. OEMs that traditionally built all their products themselves now find themselves part of a wider supply chain and, says LaGuerra, all players are now taking responsibility for their parts in making sure systems work, and work together. Car buyers can and should feel safer as a result.

ABI Research's report, "Automotive Radar/LIDAR Systems" examines all these current and emerging automotive safety systems from both a component and systems level, while also exploring business issues, trends and technological advancements, along with their potential market impact.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations that support annual research programs, quarterly intelligence services and market reports in wireless, automotive, semiconductors, broadband, and energy. Their market research products can be found on the Web at www.abiresearch.com,