By Simon McBride 20 October 2008
Lighting giant Hella has launched a new system so that driver’s keep their distance. Hella's distance-warning system is based on the 24 GHz radar sensor. It continuously measures the distance to the vehicle driving in front and warns acoustically or optically if the distance preset by the driver is undercut. "With this informative system, we want to make the driver more aware of his or her own stopping-distance behavior", emphasizes Winfried Menge, Head of Marketing in the Hella Business Division Electronics. Hella claims that this would be a good tool for fleet drivers as the probability of having an accident due to driving too close can be reduced considerably with the distance-warning system. The system is based on the innovative 24 GHz radar sensor. It emits an electromagnetic wave via an aerial. This is reflected by objects in the sensor's visual range, and is received and evaluated. Precise determination of distance, angle and relative speed of the objects, correct lane classification and the detection and differentiation of roadside structures open up potential for further applications, such as the ACC speed and distance-regulation system, or a pre-crash function. The 24 GHz radar-sensor technology used by Hella is a convincing choice thanks to its global approval capability, and was successfully developed in 2006 for a lane change assistant in the Audi Q7. Various European and Asian vehicle makers now use this lane change assistant in series production. It can already be found in nine different series, more will follow. The first series use of the 24 GHz-based distance-warning system is planned for the year 2009, for a European automaker in the medium class. Simon McBride
Categories: Fleet news , Fleet management
When it comes down to it, the only thing keeping you on the road are your car’s tyres. They are such a vital component, yet research shows that two-thirds of drivers don’t even know the minimum legal tread depth permitted.…
Citroen has just marked the 45th anniversary of its quirky Mehari fun car with a bespoke display at its chic design centre in the middle of Paris. While the Mehari may be more beach dunes than Champs-Elysées, it points up…
If you ever need an example of how far the car and automotive technology has come in a single generation, just reach for the gear lever in your car. A mere 25 years ago, you would most likely have the choice of five gears…
There are a great many considerations to take into account when looking at your next company car. Some are purely financial and others will be environmental, either because of monetary reasons or because of your conscience.…
Hot hatches have been through a few ups and downs in the time the class has properly existed. From must-have 1980s accessory to untouchable, uninsurable liability in the early 1990s, the sector has been on the rise again…