Vehicle Safety Isn't Just for Occupants Anymore; Siemens VDO Automotive is Developing Pedestrian Protection Solutions
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 7, 2003 -- Siemens VDO Automotive is addressing the growing global concern regarding increased incidents of pedestrian injuries caused by vehicles by extending safety beyond occupant protection. The company is utilizing its global network of innovation to respond to an escalating number of pedestrian/vehicle accidents in Europe.
Recently, the European Union (EU) and international automobile manufacturers have set a goal to reduce by half the number of victims of pedestrian/vehicle accidents by 2010. United States safety organizations and regulators are intently observing this initiative with the possibility of pursuing similar actions to improve pedestrian safety in the American traffic environment.
Passengers enjoy increasing protection from elaborate safety systems ranging from airbags to electronic stability programs. Now, automobile manufacturers are addressing safety outside the vehicle. Siemens VDO Automotive is deeply involved in this effort and is working on related developmental programs and new technologies for pedestrian protection entering series production in 2005.
Pedestrian Protection Research
Siemens VDO Automotive subsidiary Siemens Restraint Systems has been studying and exploring various pedestrian protection strategies. Recent crash tests conducted by the organization utilizing sophisticated dummies demonstrated that added space under the hood may reduce the risk of serious injury. Altering hood and engine compartment design to move components such as the battery, hood lock or motor parts out of the pedestrian impact area has yielded findings indicating a reduced risk of serious injury. Near-future protection strategies, such as employing cushion elements made of special foams for bumpers to prevent leg injury, are being researched.
In addition, Siemens VDO Automotive is pursuing pedestrian and bicyclist active accident protection systems where the vehicle hood will lift when coming into contact with a pedestrian to create an enhanced crush zone. The feasibility of external airbags, moveable bumpers and other active cushions also are being researched.
Detection and Deployment
Siemens VDO Automotive active pedestrian accident protection systems could follow a variety of mechanical deployment strategies, such as pyrotechnics, hydraulics, electric motors or springs.
These deployment strategies will heavily rely on advanced sensors to quickly identify possible accidents and recognize and react to the physical attributes of pedestrians. Siemens VDO Automotive is working on expanding the vehicle sensor network to precisely define the traffic environment through radar, video or ultrasound, enabling active accident protection system to react differently to a lamp post or tree trunk than a pedestrian or bicyclist. Siemens Restraint Systems and its partners also are developing sensors that identify pedestrians based on the initial deformation of the fiberglass or plastic bumper upon impact.
Meeting Industry Safety Targets
Still in the technical development stages, pedestrian protection solutions are being coupled with intensive biomechanics research and simulation. Biomechanics is the study of the human body in relation to various crash forces and scenarios.
In accordance with EU Commission and the European Automobile Manufacturer Association (also know as the Association des Constructeurs Europeens d'Automobiles or ACEA) targets, all new vehicles starting in 2005 must meet agreed upon pedestrian accidents or bicyclists head and leg injury impact testing thresholds. In 2010, two stricter pedestrian protection tests will be instituted ensuring hazardous external vehicle parts will be more strictly regulated.
Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain technologies, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, plus interior products including infotainment systems. Worldwide sales reflecting fiscal year 2001/2002 totaled $8.5 billion. For more information: www.usa.siemensvdo.com .
Siemens AG , headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. Siemens and its subsidiaries employ 426,000 people in 192 countries and reported worldwide sales of $77.8 billion in fiscal 2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02).
The United States is Siemens' largest market in the world, with 14 of Siemens' worldwide businesses headquartered here and annual sales of $21.5 billion in fiscal 2002. The Siemens companies in the U.S. employ approximately 70,000 people in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Corporate headquarters for Siemens' U.S. businesses are located in New York City. For more information: www.usa.siemens.com .
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