Every safety device counts when it comes to car collisions. A safety feature that is activated before impact rather than after, as with air bags, would be extremely useful in saving lives. European engineers have now crash-tested a car equipped with improved sensors and computing which can predict a collision about 230 milliseconds before it occurs. A temporary metal bracing bar is sprung into place in 70 milliseconds to provide additional bracing to strengthen the car frame and transfer the impact energy to the "unstruck" side of the vehicle.
The test video shows a car hitting a barrier at a speed of 50 km/hr. "The intrusion velocity was considerably reduced." The bracing system was successfully deployed and reduced the barrier penetration by about 10 centimetres . This may not seem like much but bear in mind there is very little in between passengers and penetrating objects with side collisions.
The beam cannot be built into car door itself because it gets in the way of lowered windows nor is it retractable yet. The on-board system which consists of radars and stereo cameras mounted in the back window plus software would also have to be factored into the economics of car manufacturing.
Crash Predicting Vehicles
Self-Bracing Car
Trend Themes
1. Pre-collision Systems - Innovative pre-collision systems that provide more time for safety measures can be implemented in the automotive industry.
2. Metal Bracing Bars - Development of innovative metal bracing bars that can provide additional bracing and result in reduced barrier penetration during car collisions has the potential to disrupt the automotive industry.
3. Sensors and Computing - Further research on improving sensors and computing technology in predicting car collisions can revolutionize safety in the automotive industry.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - The implementation of pre-collision systems, innovative metal bracing bars, and improved sensors and computing can transform the automotive industry and lead to safer vehicles.
2. Manufacturing - The development of new technology to improve car safety, such as metal bracing bars and sensors, can have a significant impact on the manufacturing industry.
3. Insurance - Reducing barrier penetration and decreasing the severity of collisions through these innovations can disrupt the insurance industry by potentially leading to fewer collisions and lower insurance rates.