Bosch Showcasing Advances in Vehicle Motion and Safety Technologies

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI --- Bosch, a leader in integrated systems, will showcase its Vehicle Motion and Safety (VMS) technologies at the second annual Vehicle Dynamics Expo North America on Oct. 22-24.

"Bosch's cross-functional team has expertise in advanced safety technologies: driver assistance, passive safety, active safety and sensors," said Dr. Kay Stepper, director of marketing and product planning for the Chassis Systems Controls Division of Robert Bosch LLC. "Our unique system development process allows us to offer new functionality by linking existing vehicle technologies. We're not just providing a component, we offer the entire system solution our customers are looking for."

Automotive electronics contribute to Bosch's networked Driver Assistance Systems (DAS), which enhance driver comfort. By giving independent vehicle electronics the ability to interact, the vehicle acquires a more comprehensive image of its own environment, resulting in the potential to react to dangerous driving situations at an earlier stage. Bosch DAS technologies include:

-- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a radar sensor to identify and maintain an appropriate distance from a vehicle that precedes the ACC-equipped vehicle. Driver comfort is improved as the system operates at stop-and-go traffic speeds and can slow the vehicle to a standstill.

-- Bosch's night-vision system contributes to the reduction of night time crashes. Two infrared headlamps illuminate the road ahead with an invisible light. A video camera then captures the scene and displays it as a high-resolution image in the driver's field of view. This gives the driver an accurate image of the situation in front of the car in all situations.

-- Park Steering Control measures the size of a parking space and tells the driver whether or not the gap is big enough for the vehicle. The system then calculates the required steering maneuvers and steers the vehicle into the parking space. The driver only needs to apply the accelerator and brake -- the steering wheel moves automatically.

Vehicle Dynamics Management (VDM) networks and builds on the functionality of ESC and other vehicle motion systems to enhance the overall driving experience by improving agility, performance and traction. Bosch technologies include:

-- Jointly launched in 2007 by BMW and Bosch, Dynamic Wheel Torque Control by Brake (DWT-B) improves vehicle agility and is featured on all BMW 5-series with four-wheel drive and the BMW X5. With DWT-B, the vehicle becomes more agile by increasing engine torque and lightly braking the wheel on the inside of the bend.

-- Dynamic Steering Angle Control (DSA) is an ESC-controlled modification of front steering used to improve stability, reduce driver effort and potentially decrease braking distance.

-- Additionally, Bosch offers several value-added ESC functions, including Hill Descent Control, Hill Hold Control, Load Adaptive Control, Traffic Jam Assist and Extended Understeering Control.

Bosch's Combined Active and Passive Safety (CAPS) concept allows active safety, passive safety and driver assistance systems to exchange information, enabling new and enhanced safety features for all vehicle types. CAPS is the basis for the following exemplary technologies:

-- Predictive Brake Assistant (PBA) and Predictive Collision Warning (PCW) use the ACC system to recognize critical traffic situations and alert the driver to a potential accident. PBA prepares the brake system for emergency braking by placing the brake pads on the brake disks as a matter of precaution and setting the hydraulic brake assist into a state of "alert" to give the driver the fastest possible brake response. If the situation becomes more critical, PCW then actively warns the driver by initiating a short brake jerk.

-- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) relies on a front-end multipurpose camera to identify road boundaries and ensures the driver stays within the lane. If the vehicle unintentionally strays from the lane, the system alerts the driver. In addition, other functions like intelligent headlamp control can be run on the same camera platform.

-- Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) uses existing ESC sensors to reduce a vehicle's rollover risk by determining when a vehicle is experiencing extreme lateral tire force and applying appropriate brake pressure at the wheels.

-- Trailer Sway Mitigation (TSM) uses a special algorithm to detect trailer sway during a towing situation. To eliminate the motion, the vehicle's brakes are precisely applied through active brake pressure control, helping the driver maintain control even in critical situations.

"Bosch's innovative technologies help OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) differentiate vehicles and build specific brand characteristics," said Dr. Dieter Hoetzer, product manager of automotive radar and camera products for Robert Bosch LLC. "We also have technology ready to help OEMs meet today's government regulations."

Beginning with model year 2010, National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) is implementing its new rating program, the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The new overall vehicle safety score combines star ratings from the front, side and rollover programs. NCAP requires vehicle manufacturers to include vehicle ratings on all automobile Monroney labels with a 1- to 5-star graphic display. Bosch's technologies meet all NCAP requirements.

Bosch representatives will deliver presentations on Thursday and Friday during the Vehicle Dynamics Expo North America, including:

-- On Thursday, Oct. 23, Dr. Dieter Hoetzer, product manager, will discuss the increasing market penetration of driver assistance systems and Bosch's wide range of solutions, including high-performance systems and low-cost sensor components.

-- Also on Thursday, Dr. Kevin Wu, technical expert, will discuss the improvements made to trailer sway mitigation through the use of trailer brakes.

-- On Friday, Oct. 24, Dr. Kay Stepper, director of marketing, will discuss how Bosch's integration of VMS improves driving dynamics and the agility of the vehicle.

Leading vehicle dynamics suppliers and consultancies will join OEMs to discuss the latest innovations and technologies for enhancing vehicle dynamics at the second annual Vehicle Dynamics Expo North America 2008, Oct. 22 through Oct. 24 at The Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich.