New TRW technology helps protects pedestrians

TRW has developed an advanced Pedestrian Protection System to help address an important global safety issue. The system is now in production with a European automotive manufacturer.

TRW's Pedestrian Protection System uses up to three Remote Acceleration Sensors (RAS) located in the front bumper area. These sensors continuously transmit acceleration signals to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which analyzes the sensor data.

In the event of a collision, the system will determine if the vehicle has struck a human body (of various sizes) or another object.

If a pedestrian collision is detected, the system triggers hood lifter mechanisms – located on either underside of the hood – to activate and create more space between the hood and the hard engine components to help reduce potential injury.

“Our goal is a reliable system based on proven technology for the hardware, software and control algorithms,” explained TRW’s Martin Thoone. “TRW has been a longstanding leader in supplying crash sensors and airbag ECUs and is a recognised leader for algorithms that control airbag function.”

He added: “In the Pedestrian Protection System, the RAS can be mated to a standalone ECU, but the more cost effective solution is to have the software integrated into an existing TRW airbag control unit.”