Chrysler 300 Cars Equipped With Hella's Adaptive Cruise Control

DETROIT, Nov. 14, 2006 -- The luxurious Chrysler 300 Limited and Chrysler 300C are the first vehicles offering tier-one automotive supplier Hella's LIDAR-based (LIght Detection and Ranging) adaptive cruise control (ACC) technology as optional equipment late in the 2007 model year.

About half the cost of standard, radar-based ACC systems, Hella's unit is a key component of its driver assistance systems (DAS) technologies that are designed to assist drivers so that they may concentrate on the task of driving. Drivers remain in control of their vehicles at all times and can switch the ACC on and off as required.

"ACC systems make driving more comfortable," said Jean-Francois Tarabbia, CEO of Automotive Electronics for Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. "When activated, Hella's system allows drivers to keep their vehicles at a specified distance from the traffic in front. Our ACC system automatically brakes or accelerates the vehicle depending upon traffic conditions."

Hella's ACC system allows drivers to be more comfortable, instead of manually re-adjusting their vehicle's speed as is often required with conventional cruise control systems. Hella's ACC also offers significant safety advantages by helping to make sure vehicles stay at a specified distance and provides drivers a warning by automatically triggering the brakes.

Using modern, opto-electronic measuring technology, Hella's ACC employs a LIDAR sensor that has a range of nearly one-and-a-half football fields (up to 500 feet) in clear-weather conditions. The unit also takes inputs from the vehicle's speed, steering and yaw-rate (which are used for stability systems) sensors.

With high, lateral resolution that not only detects the distance to an object, Hella's ACC system also detects the object's side-to-side position and dimensions.

"We are proud to have our system installed as an option on DaimlerChrysler's popular Chrysler 300 Limited and 300C sedans," Tarabbia said. "A number of other vehicle manufacturers also are contemplating using our ACC unit. Chrysler's installation is just one of a number of recent developments where electronics -- which we used to call 'advanced' driver assistance systems -- are going onto mainstream cars and will make radical improvements to congestion on the roadways."

Hella's DAS strategy combines a number of applications; including an ultrasonic-based parallel parking system, rear-end collision warning, lane- departure warning (LDW), rearview cameras and sensors with advanced image- processing software, according to Tarabbia.

Vehicles equipped with these features could detect potential accident situations, provide warnings or, like the ACC system, automatically engage a vehicle's brakes to maintain a pre-set distance between vehicles, he explained.

"Our long-term objective is to greatly reduce traffic accidents and injuries by providing safety-system devices for the broadest possible range of vehicles," Tarabbia said.

Motor vehicle accidents kill an average of 42,000 people each year, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Vehicular accidents cost society an average of $230.6 billion annually.

Hella, a global supplier, develops and manufactures components and systems for lighting and electronics for the automotive industry, including advanced driver-assistance systems enhancing safety and comfort. In addition, joint- venture companies produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle electric systems. Hella is also one of the world's largest companies selling automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries. Annual consolidated sales for the Hella Group total $3.8 billion.