KARIYA, Japan ― Global automotive supplier DENSO announced that it has developed a smaller and more cost-effective laser radar, an active safety technology that can help avoid low-speed collisions. DENSO’s new laser radar is used as a sensor for the Smart Assist System* on the Daihatsu Move, a compact vehicle released in the Japanese market last December.
“We think this particular safety technology will be important in gaining consumer acceptance of other safety technologies,” said Ron Schubert, director of body component systems at DENSO International America Inc., in Southfield, Mich. “Because this radar helps avoid accidents that occur at lower speeds, like 5 to 15 mph, consumers can begin to trust and want technologies that help avoid higher-speed collisions.”
As automakers have been accelerating efforts to develop systems to avoid collisions and reduce impact when a collision can’t be avoided, sensors for these technologies must be balanced in terms of performance, size and cost for respective vehicle models and systems. With this in mind, DENSO said it was able to reduce the overall size of the new radar to allow it to be easily adaptable across vehicle models and systems.
To consolidate space, the newly developed laser radar features a simpler laser beam generation mechanism than previous versions, according to DENSO. Also, the electronic control unit was integrated into the signal processing boards, which were typically separate parts. Additionally, DENSO said it was able to reduce the overall size of the radar by using a smaller lens.
DENSO says it is committed to developing and refining technologies to help create a safer automotive society for people worldwide. In an effort to eliminate traffic accidents, DENSO has developed and commercialized other safety technologies that protect occupants and prevent accidents under the motto of “Everyday Confidence, Extraordinary Safety.”
*Smart Assist System consists of four technologies: (1) Brakes that assist low-speed crash avoidance, (2) Gas pedal mis-operation control, (3) Informs of motion of vehicle in front, (4) VSC and TRC. DENSO’s laser radar will be used for technologies (1), (2) and (3), to detect obstacles in front of the vehicle.
