TRW Camera Technologies Cover a Full Spectrum of Safety
LIVONIA, Mich., Oct. 1, 2009 -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. , a global leader in automotive safety, is advancing the intelligence of active safety systems through the development and packaging of advanced camera technologies that provide a real-time picture of the vehicle environment.
"Seeing the environment in front, behind and at the side of the vehicle provides a whole new realm of safety system capabilities that include collision warning and mitigation systems, blind spot detection, and back-over warning to name only a few," said Martin Thoone, vice president, TRW Electronics Engineering. "And when used together with other sensors such as radar the confidence level of making complex, split-second safety decisions can be enhanced through data fusion that combines the information to help ensure that the decision taken is the right one at the right time."
TRW's portfolio of forward-looking camera options can be scaled to the needs of automakers - from Lane Keeping Assist / Lane Guidance systems offering lane and road edge detection, to functions such as object- and traffic sign recognition and pedestrian protection. World class packaging includes an integrated processor and imager in a size small enough to fit in a rear view mirror mount. Additional sensors can be integrated into the camera to enable functions such as automatic rain sensing wipers and automatic HVAC control for windshield defogging in a single package, eliminating the need for multiple independent sensors.
Cameras can also be oriented for side vision for blind spot and lane change assist systems and rear-facing for back-over and rear object proximity warnings and park assist systems.
TRW currently supplies production cameras for the Lane Keeping Assist system launched on the Lancia Delta in 2008. In this system the video camera detects when the vehicle has drifted to the edge of the lane markings and the electric steering provides the driver with haptic feedback through the steering wheel and gentle guidance toward the center of the lane.
Forward collision warning is another important safety advancement that can be based on camera technology. TRW is developing a system using a forward-looking monocular camera with object recognition capability. This is linked to a warning device which may give visual, audible or other feedback to the driver that a potential collision is imminent, such as a brake pulse or jerk to indicate to the driver the need to brake the vehicle. TRW will develop the warning according to the vehicle manufacturers' preference.
Camera technology is also an integral part of highly advanced safety systems such as automatic emergency braking (AEB). Working in concert with long or mid-range radar, the camera and radar sensors independently gather data that is compared every 40 milliseconds in what is called data fusion. Both sensors need to independently verify the criticality of a foreseeable crash and confirm that AEB should be deployed.
About TRW
With 2008 sales of $15.0 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 26 countries and employs approximately 60,000 people worldwide. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at www.trw.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which can cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (our "Form 10-K"), and our Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 3, 2009 and July 3, 2009, such as: any prolonged contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results, liquidity or the viability of our supply base; the financial condition of OEMs, particularly the Detroit Three, adversely affecting us or the viability of our supply base; disruptions in the financial markets adversely impacting the availability and cost of credit negatively affecting our business; our substantial debt and resulting vulnerability to economic or industry downturns and to rising interest rates; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; our dependence on our largest customers; costs of product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to adversely alter terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; any increase in the expense and funding requirements of our pension and other postretirement benefits; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic uncertainty in some regions; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers; assertions by or against us relating to intellectual property rights; the possibility that our largest stockholder's interests will conflict with ours; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our Form 10-K and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revision to any of these forward-looking statements.
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