TRW's New Video Camera Supports Global Safety Trends

FRANKFURT, Germany--Sept. 10, 2013: Hall 8, Stand F20, IAA Motor Show -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. is unveiling a new generation of video camera (S-CAM 3) which offers six times the processing power of the current generation to provide a higher level of performance and several advanced new functions. The camera will be launched early in 2015 and feature on a number of 2016 model year applications.

Peter Lake, executive vice president sales and business development for TRW Automotive, commented: "In the coming five to ten years, we expect to see a strong demand for camera systems – driven mainly by governments and NCAP organizations worldwide that are striving to enhance vehicle safety.

"Widely available data demonstrates the safety benefits of camera technology. According to 2011 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, 53% of road fatalities result from a roadway departure, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data estimates that lane departure warning and lane keeping assist systems could help save more than 7,500 lives in the USA each year."

Using Mobileye's EyeQ3 technology, TRW's S-CAM 3 will offer all the functions of its predecessor (lane departure warning, forward collision warning, headlight control, traffic sign recognition and pedestrian detection), but has an increased vertical and horizontal field of view and a significantly higher definition imager to enable a range of more advanced features including:

Automatic Emergency Braking Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) for highway conditions Advanced Traffic Sign Recognition Object Character Recognition Lane Centering Large Animal Detection Construction Zone Assist Traffic Light Detection General Object Detection

Dr.-Ing. Alois Seewald, global director, TRW Integrated Active & Passive Safety Technologies and Research and Development, added: "Our S-CAM 3 is one the sensors in our DAS portfolio which TRW is bringing to market to support accident prevention. It has the potential to assist drivers in many ways and when combined with braking systems, can enable ACC and Automatic Emergency Braking as a standalone sensor. When integrated with other environmental sensors, chassis controllers and actuators, this technology provides a strong base platform for semi-automated driving situations."

TRW is investing in its camera production sites – both in North America (Marshall, Illinois) and in Europe (Peterlee, UK) in support of a number of global business awards. The company started production of its first generation camera in 2008 on the European Lancia Delta and launched its second generation camera (S-Cam) in 2011. By late 2013, the current second generation S-Cam will be available on vehicles from five major vehicle manufacturers in North America, Europe and Asia.