The TRW challenge: Increase functionality, but not cost…
TRW spoke to just-auto.com, one of Europe's most popular automotive websites, about the on-going work it is doing to try and achieve just that.
The challenge here, as TRW explained, is to incorporate new features and functionality to the overriding building blocks of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to enhance safety, whilst at the same time reducing weight and cost.
Software development
The obvious answer, says TRW, is to develop the software rather than add more hardware which as a tangible piece of kit can be costly. The difficulty with this is that as these functions become ever more complex, they may also require more micro processing power and more powerful micro processing units; which again can add to the cost.
It's this constant chicken and egg situation that keeps TRW engineers awake at night as they research and develop the latest technologies to keep us safer on the roads. Nevertheless, software improvement is a clear goal for TRW.
Development of GPS
Software development relies on the availability of improved data. TRW's engineers need to have access to information from sources such as global accident records and more recently Global Positioning System (GPS).
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. Maintained by the US government, in the main it is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver. The GPS project began in 1973 and was originally operated with just 24 satellites. It became fully operational in 1994.
"As a leading provider of active and passive safety systems for a global automotive market, TRW works hard to meet the ever more demanding needs of the driver," explained TRW's Soeren Kristensen. "The development of GPS has allowed for features such as curve prediction and corner brake control to work hand in hand to assist drivers with braking and vehicle control. It has also been instrumental in the trend towards implanting low speed collision mitigation braking systems combining camera or radar with electronic brake systems to assist the driver with urban speeds."