Brake assist systems that automatically apply full braking power for emergency stops might become mandatory on all new cars starting in 2008.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The active safety measures are part of a draft proposal to change phase two of the European Union’s pedestrian safety rules.
According to the draft, which was issued by European Commission officials, a study has found that meeting the phase two requirements is “not technically feasible.”
Instead automakers also might be allowed to fit cars with active collision avoidance systems to help reduce pedestrian injuries.
“We always said active safety is better than passive,” said Alfredo Filippone, spokesman for the European automakers group, ACEA. “It’s better to try to avoid the collision in the first place.”
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataThe deadline for comment on the draft was July 22.
Phase one pedestrian safety rules take effect October 1, 2005 and phase two starts September 1, 2010. The draft doesn’t suggest any change to phase one rules.
Both phases require carmakers to change the designs of car front ends to allow more crash-absorbing crush space between the hood and so-called “hard points” such as the engine and radiator.
A commission insider said a study carried out last year showed adding brake assist and then offering the prospect of using active collision avoidance systems would make meeting phase two of the directive “a more feasible proposition” for the auto industry without reducing the expected safety benefits.
The problem is that no collision avoidance system is reliable enough today to replace passive safety designs intended to make car front-ends less damaging to pedestrians.
But suppliers such as Germany’s Siemens VDO Automotive say successful systems that see an object, determine the driver won’t stop quickly enough and activate the brakes are only a few years away.
Siemens VDO spokesman Enno Pflug concedes that “an object detector needs a lot of computing power to detect a pedestrian.”
Brake assist technology is already on the market. A Bosch radar-based system is now available on the Audi A6 and A8. The world’s largest supplier has promised that late 2006 it will have a system that gives a strong jolt to the brakes to remind the driver that immediate braking is needed to prevent a crash.
DaimlerChrysler welcomed the potential proposal, said spokesman Matthias Brock . The German-US automaker has lobbied hard for brake assist.
Toyota Europe spokesman Colin Hensley said the company would introduce active systems when possible regardless of legislation.
Automotive News Europe
