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Autoliv Develops Night Vision System

18 January 2001

Autoliv Develops Night Vision System

    STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 18 Autoliv Inc.
(SSE: ALIV), the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, is developing
a "state-of-the-art" infra-red Night Vision system.  The system is currently
being displayed for the first time in the Volvo Safety Concept Car at the
North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
    The new system uses a unique compact camera that, due to its small
dimensions, can be placed close to the driver's head without affecting normal
vision.  The location for the Night Vision camera is critical in that it
should duplicate as closely as possible the view of the driver.
    The infrared camera in Autoliv's system (developed by FLIR System) detects
heat from objects.  The system is calibrated to be especially sensitive to the
wavelength at the temperature of human beings and animals.  Autoliv's
technology is not depending on any light source and can therefore give a
broader and longer view than headlights.  This makes it possible to see not
only very far but also what happens on the side of the road, like animals on
their way crossing the road even before they are visible in the light from the
car.  It also gives the driver the possibility to see what happens in the
blacked out area between two meeting cars with the high beams off, like people
walking without any reflectors.  The new Autoliv system will therefore enable
the driver to detect traffic dangers much faster and more accurately, and it
will make night driving safer and easier.
    For the Volvo Safety Concept Car, the camera's infrared view is displayed
on a transparent screen in front of the driver.  During daylight hours, the
screen is stored in the instrument panel.  When the driver turns on the Night
Vision System, the screen automatically raises into position and the infrared
view is projected on the screen -- just as in modern jet fighters.