Chrysler 2008 Annual Report Download - page 29

Report on Operations Research and Innovation28
Driving Advisor. Together with Fiat Group Automobiles, C.R.F.
developed a lane departure warning system with haptic
interface which is available on the new Lancia Delta launched
2008. Dubbed the Driving Advisor, the system signals the
steering system whenever the car is about to drift out of its
lane. Active when the car is traveling at speeds over 55 kph,
the system turns the steering wheel slightly – applying a
different level of resistance depending to whether the lane
markings detected by the system are solid or dashed lines – to
warn the driver to get back on course.
The Driving Advisor relies on a video system consisting of a T
camera and image processing software that relays information
about the road, scanning ahead up to 30 metres. The video
device tracks the lines marking the edges of the lane and
indicates the vehicle’s position in terms of both orientation and
movement away from the center of the lane. The processing
unit then selects an actuation command that will be sent to the
steering system. Electric power steering, guided by the
actuation motor and the torque/steering wheel angle sensors
required for correct operation, carries out the control order.
Preventive safety systems for commercial vehicles. As part of
its commitment to improving road safety, C.R.F. has continued
to develop preventive safety systems for Iveco’s light and
medium/heavy range trucks. The Centre’s Collision Warning
system, for instance, uses radar and TV cameras to monitor
what’s going on around the truck and alert drivers if they are
following too closely behind the vehicle ahead or traveling at
an unsafe speed. The Lane Change Assistant uses two radar
units to monitor adjacent lanes and the driver’s blind spot,
warning if the truck is about to move into the path of another
vehicle when passing or merging back into traffic. The Turning
Assistant alerts the driver if there are pedestrians or cyclists to
the side of the vehicle when making right turns, and keeps the
truck from moving off again if people are still in the danger
zone. Finally, the Driver Attention Support system continuously
monitors driver alertness, detecting signs of fatigue and
implementing countermeasures. When necessary, the system
signals the driver when it’s time to take a break.
Evolution of telematic platforms. In 2008, C.R.F. was involved
in two major programmes for the development of new
telematic applications, one conducted together with other
European partners, and the other carried out within the Fiat
Group.
In the first of these programmes, C.R.F. is working to design
and implement cooperative systems based on communication
between vehicles and the road infrastructure, thus contributing
to safe, sustainable future mobility. This R&D work is being
carried out in concert with major automakers throughout
Europe to create systems that are interoperable across the EU.
Alongside these research and development activities, C.R.F.
and Fiat Group Automobiles are members of the Car-2-Car
Communication Consortium, whose objectives are to establish
a European industry standard for car-to-car communication
systems based on wireless LAN components and to promote
the establishment of a royalty-free frequency band for road
safety applications. This frequency band was assigned in
August 2008. At the 2008 Car-2-Car Forum, Fiat Group
Automobiles and C.R.F. presented their first road safety
applications for signalling hazardous situations such as a
stationary vehicle in the road.
Also in 2008, C.R.F. worked with the Group Sectors to establish
the requirements and preliminary design for an inter-Sectoral
platform which, if completed, would make it possible to offer
increasingly advanced services and functions in the future. The
platform would provide enhanced performance and extended
processing and memory capacity and be fully integrated with
latest-generation telecommunications standards (3G, satellite,
etc.), with evolving wireless standards (Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi),
and with consumer electronics interfaces (smartphones,
memory cards, etc.). In addition, the platform would make it
possible to view graphical interfaces on different types of
display, thus ensuring maximum design flexibility. The
platform’s modular approach would also reduce costs through
end-product scalability.