Johnson Controls Delivers Unique Interior Systems For Innovative Volvo Safety Concept Car Project
8 January 2001
Johnson Controls Delivers Unique Interior Systems For Innovative Volvo Safety Concept Car Project
Major supplier helps develop innovative safety technologies
that provide superior vision for an enhanced driving experience
DETROIT, Jan. 8 Now more than ever, safety sells cars, and
Volvo Car Corporation is the longstanding leader and innovator in automotive
safety. The company demonstrates its ongoing commitment to safety this week,
with the introduction of the Safety Concept Car at the 2001 North American
International Auto Show in Detroit. Volvo Cars created the Safety Concept Car
together with Ford Motor Company. Another industry leader, automotive interior
supplier Johnson Controls , played an important role in developing
the Safety Concept Car.
With the innovative prototype, Volvo Cars created superior vision by
integrating advanced technology to enhance the driver's performance and make
driving safer. The Safety Concept Car features a seating system that positions
all drivers to achieve optimal vision and safety.
Plymouth, Michigan-based Johnson Controls partnered with Volvo Cars to
develop the seating position system, and engineered and produced a number of
innovative interior systems. Johnson Controls provided some "industry first"
technologies, including an adjustable seat, pedal box and the software system
for an adjustable center console and steering wheel. Johnson Controls also
worked closely with Volvo Cars to support the development of its Human Machine
Interface (HMI) system.
"For Volvo Cars' new concept car, Johnson Controls delivered systems that
add great value," said Bill Fluharty, the company's vice president of
industrial design - North America. "By providing new technologies, we
succeeded in supporting Volvo Cars' safety goals, and giving consumers a
credible vision of a vastly improved driving experience for the future."
A team of Johnson Controls' engineers contributed to the development of
the unique seat system for the Safety Concept Car. The system gives every
driver the optimal seating position and safety. Seats and controls
automatically adjust, affording the driver the best-possible view of the road
and area surrounding the vehicle. A camera- or capacitance-based sensor
system, supplied by Sarnoff and BGM respectively, determines the position of
the driver's eyes. Then, the seat, floor with pedals, steering wheel and
center console (including gear lever) adjust automatically to the driver's
size, providing the safest, most comfortable driving position.
To support Volvo Cars' vision -- enabling drivers to keep their eyes on
the road and hands on the wheel -- Johnson Controls provided software
development for an easy-to-use and non-distracting interface between human and
machine. The driver-information software handles radio/compact disc player;
controls for heating, ventilation and air conditioning; navigation system;
communication system/phone and added safety technologies. Video displays are
located in the instrument-panel gauge cluster and the center stack. For ease-
of-use, controls are located on both the steering wheel and on the adjustable
center console.
As seating-position system supplier for the Safety Concept Car, Johnson
Controls collaborated with safety engineers from Volvo Cars and Ford Motor
Company, and several other suppliers. The additional suppliers included
Sarnoff (eye-sensor camera); BGM (capacitive head-sensor system); Presta
(steering column); Combitech Systems AB (advanced key-fob system); Helmstech
Corporation (software and electronics wiring for seats, pedal box, console,
steering column); Little John's Interior Concepts (foam and trim development);
and IDC (vehicle builder).
"The complementary strengths of Volvo Cars and Johnson Controls helped us
collaborate successfully in creating the Safety Concept Car," said Fluharty.
"Volvo Cars' vision and track record in safety engineering are virtually
unmatched, and we were able to apply our excellent knowledge of human factors,
consumer preferences and behavior."
Today at 1:50 p.m., officials from Volvo Cars' will unveil the Safety
Concept Car in a news conference at the 2001 North American International Auto
Show in Detroit. The event will be held at the company's product display area
in Cobo Center.
The Plymouth, Michigan (U.S.A.)-based automotive business of Johnson
Controls -- which employs more than 77,000 people at 285 facilities worldwide
-- achieved US$12.7 billion in sales for the 2000 fiscal year. In model-year
2001, it will supply interior products for more than 23 million vehicles.
Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader in automotive systems and
facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major
supplier of seating and interior systems, and batteries. For non-residential
facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services,
energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls
, founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(U.S.A.). Its sales for 2000 totaled US$17.2 billion.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For access to other Johnson Controls news releases and
additional company information, visit the company's web site on the World Wide
Web at http://www.johnsoncontrols.com .
CONTACT: Bill Dawson, 734-254-5925, or Debra Lacey, 734-254-5735, both of
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 473547