Delhi Auto Expo 2012 sees a host of products and services on car and road safety

Car safety mechanisms are becoming more synthesized and integrated, as the challenges still persist in making such systems cost-effective and adoption varies across the country. From being stand alone independent systems, next-generation safety and advanced drive assistance systems are now integrated with chassis, telematics and navigation systems to improve functional efficiency, and also reduce total cost of ownership.

The 2012 Delhi Auto Expo has stalls on driver assistance systems, which help the driver to detect ordinarily-hidden obstacles along the way and help him take better, informed decisions through difficult maneuvers. Companies like Bosch, Smart Key, Technoton Sensors Pvt. Ltd have put up new age car security and driver assistance systems on display at their stalls. Smart Key has come out with a vehicle security concept featuring keyless operations based on technology by Siemens PASE (Passive Start and Entry System).

This enables the driver to gain entry by automatically locking/unlocking the vehicle and subsequently allows him/her to start/stop the vehicle without the use of keys. Bosch has come up with a few driver assist systems such as the Electronic Stability Program which uses intelligent sensors to check whether the drivers steering wheel input corresponds to the vehicle’s direction of travel. If it does, it reduces the engine torque to restores vehicle stability. This approach allows the ESP interface to generate the necessary counterforce so the vehicle reacts as the driver intends it to.

Bosch has also unveiled the Airbag control unit which has two peripheral acceleration sensors for detecting side crashes. This helps the airbag to deploy instantly from the sides of the car as well. Other offerings from Bosch include the SMARTRA or the smart anti-theft system, which provides an interface between the ECU (Engine Control Unit) and the ignition key transponder. This immobilizes the vehicle in the case of forced entry.

Technoton Sensors, on the other hand, have developed something called the axle load sensors which help in axle load control and cargo weight control in vehicle tracking systems. With this sensor, a vehicle tracking system can get valuable information about the location and the time of loading and unloading the vehicle. As far as road safety management is concerned, Hubert Ebner India Pvt. Ltd will be producing a film on road safety, in collaboration with the Earth Matters Foundation. This will generate the much needed awareness on road safety amongst the masses in the country.