Valeo Raytheon Systems Wins First Blind Spot Detection System Contract

PARIS, May 3, 2004 -- Valeo Raytheon Systems today announced that it has won its first production contract for its Blind Spot Detection system with a major North American-based vehicle manufacturer. The innovative radar-based system, which is expected to be a world-first, is scheduled for production in 2006.

The Blind Spot Detection system monitors the blind spot on both sides of the vehicle. If a moving obstacle, such as another overtaking vehicle, is present in the blind spot, the driver is alerted through a visible icon. The system is expected to contribute to reducing collisions with unseen vehicles during lane change maneuvers. Valeo Raytheon Systems developed this system for passenger cars in just over one year.

Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "The adoption of this system by a major carmaker so soon after its development shows that our strategy of introducing new technologies into the automotive industry through partnerships can provide a rapid response to market needs."

Valeo's automotive engineers have joined forces with aerospace expert Raytheon to draw on the short-range radar expertise of Valeo and the in-depth knowledge of radar systems from Raytheon. The outcome of this joint effort is a radar-based Blind Spot Detection system comprised of one sensor on each side of the vehicle, both continuously monitoring the lateral area alongside and to the rear of the vehicle. With their unique design providing a 150-degree broad field of view, the sensors have a range of between 0.5 and 40 meters.

The radar is a multi-beam system operating in a narrow bandwidth around 24GHz. By using several beams to recognize objects in the blind spot, the system allows for unprecedented accuracy in determining the position and distance of the object as well as its relative speed. Blind spot detection sensor technology works in all weather conditions and is easy to accommodate on a vehicle, fitting neatly on the side of the vehicle, behind the rear plastic bumper.

This radar technology is an integral part of Valeo's Driving Assistance Domain that already deploys ultrasonic, infrared and vision sensing technologies toward the goal of achieving a complete 360 degree surveillance of a vehicle's immediate environment.

Valeo Raytheon Systems, Inc., a joint venture between Valeo and Raytheon is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan and has facilities in Hudson, NH, and Bietigheim, Germany. VRS designs, manufactures and markets radar based sensor systems to help drivers and vehicles recognize potentially dangerous situations occurring in their driving environment more clearly, and to increase drivers confidence and comfort.