TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) has started production of its ‘AC100’ 24 GHz forward-looking radar on the new PSA Platform ‘EMP2’. The first vehicle is the Citroen C4 Picasso which has recently launched this summer, and will be followed at the end of 2013 by the new Peugeot 308.
The AC100 radar on this platform enables several safety and driver comfort functions including distance and collision warning and integration with braking systems to provide follow-to-stop adaptive cruise control (ACC). The technology can also enable further features such as activation of reversible restraint systems, pre-crash pre-fill of brakes, adaptive brake assist and automatic emergency braking (AEB).
Peter Austen, director of TRW’s Driver Assistance Systems (DAS) business remarked: “The launch of our AC100 on the PSA EMP2 platform represents an important milestone on our DAS roadmap – with this particular module launching in C and D segments. This is a great example of how TRW is making safety systems affordable for everyone.
“The fitment growth of such technologies will be exponential in coming years as governments worldwide strive to significantly reduce road fatalities. New legislation, changes to New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) ratings schemes and insurance incentives are coming into effect and the industry needs to be ready with the right solutions. Our AC100 and next generation radar have been specifically developed to help enhance road safety and address these market trends.”
The AC100 system offers much of the functionality of TRW’s previous generation 77GHz AC20 radar, but at a significantly lower cost – achieved primarily through lower frequency operation and optimized performance for mainstream vehicles. It can detect vehicles up to a range of approximately 150m and is suitable for a full range of driving conditions including high speed motorway driving. Furthermore, radar technology can operate in poor weather conditions including fog and heavy rain, unlike laser based systems that rely on a clear optical path.
“Following this new launch, we continue to work with additional vehicle manufacturers to bring this affordable technology to market. TRW has a long-standing history in the radar market with more than ten years of production experience, and we are confident that our systems represent affordable solutions to support customers to deliver the range of driver assist functionalities that consumers want, while addressing future legislative requirements,” concluded Austen.
