The New Volkswagen Arteon Innovative driver assistance systems in detail - part 2 'Pre-Crash proactive occupant protection system'

• The New Volkswagen Arteon Innovative driver assistance systems in detail - part 2 'Pre-Crash proactive occupant protection system'
• Latest Pre-Crash system can detect danger behind the car
• System for the first time uses Side Assist data as well

It's a familiar but unwanted scenario:  traffic lights on red, a look in the rear-view mirror, the vehicle behind is approaching much too fast! A rear-end crash is looming. In such situations the new, optional 'Pre-Crash occupant protection system' in the Arteon provides assistance to the limit of its capabilities. 

For the first time, the Pre-Crash sensors are able to react not only to processes relating to driving dynamics (detected by functions such as the ESC) and to acute risks of collision from the front (registered by Front Assist), but also to hazards at the rear. 

For this the system uses data from Side Assist. Within fractions of a second it is able to initiate measures to lessen wherever possible the consequences of any accident.

This is how it works: Pre-Crash utilises the sensors of the Side Assist system, which during overtaking provides within the limits of its capabilities a warning of any vehicle in the 'blind spot'. 

Via radar sensors Side Assist is able to register the position and speed of the cars behind the Arteon. This data is then analysed by the Pre-Crash system. It does this not only when the car is moving, but also when it is stopped with the engine running and in stop-start mode, e.g. at a red traffic light. 

If the detected vehicle moves towards the Arteon, the system uses the position and speed of both cars to determine the probability of a possible collision. If the new Pre-Crash system detects an imminent risk, it duly reacts.

The hazard warning lights come on displaying the rear emergency collision alert signal and the system simultaneously closes all windows (except for a narrow gap that improves the bracing effect of the front head airbags) and the sliding sunroof. In parallel with this the belt tensioners pull the front safety belts taut.

Volkswagen looks to the furture with the first post based on it's Innovative driver assistance systems.

Innovative driver assistance systems in detail – part 1: Emergency Assist – automatic help in emergencies.

• Latest generation brakes and steers autonomously in an emergency
• Innovative protection technology utilises four driver assistance systems

'Autonomous driving' – a term currently generating more animated discussion than almost any other in the automotive world. It fascinates and polarises in equal measure. The fact is: automated driving functions increase comfort and often safety as well.

The new Arteon is therefore fitted with more driver assistance systems than any Volkswagen before. These systems are interconnected with each other, as it is the interaction of their sensors and computers that actually makes autonomous driving functions possible. 

Through the fusion of four driver assistance systems, the Arteon possesses a form of technology that in many circumstances can help to prevent serious accidents: Emergency Assist 2.0. 

As soon as the sensors of the avant-garde gran turismo notice that the driver has become incapacitated, the Arteon takes over the proverbial helm. Within the bounds of its system capabilities, it warns other road users and automatically steers to the nearside lane, where it stops. 

We call it a worst case scenario. Yet, through sudden ill health it can happen to anyone, regardless of age or physical condition: the driver suffers a blackout at the wheel. It is in these situations that the second-generation Emergency Assist system is able to take action. It merges ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), Side Assist, Lane Assist and Park Assist into one system. This alliance is able – as mentioned above, within its technical system limits – to bring the car to a standstill in the nearside lane. 

This is how Emergency Assist works: as soon as the sensors recognise that for a defined length of time the driver has used neither the accelerator, brake nor steering wheel, the combined system initiates systematic countermeasures. First, the driver is warned and 'shaken out of their slumber' by acoustic, visual and physical (brake jolt) signals. If, however, they fail to react, Emergency Assist activates the emergency stop process outlined above. The hazard warning lights are then automatically switched on. In addition, via components of Park Assist (access to the electro-mechanical power-assisted steering) and Lane Assist (camera-based lane detection), the Arteon performs gentle steering manoeuvres in order to make drivers in nearby vehicles aware of the dangerous situation. 

Meanwhile, the ACC facilitates the automatic braking and contributes thanks to the radar sensors in the front of the car to preventing it from running into any vehicles up ahead. A new feature of Emergency Assist 2.0 is that on roads with multiple carriageways the Arteon steers itself in a controlled manner into the nearside lane. It is Park Assist and Lane Assist that enable it to do this, while Side Assist uses its ultrasound sensors to check on the traffic behind in order to minimise the risk of any collision when changing lane. 

USA - The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has been awarded the Top Safety Pick+ Award from the IIHS.

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ has earned the highest safety award issued by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety – due in part to its front crash prevention system.

To earn the agency’s Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must have superior ratings in its small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength and head restraint tests. 

It also must have an available front crash prevention system that earns an advanced or superior rating. Lincoln MKZ is available with an optional front crash prevention system that earns a superior rating.

Also helping Lincoln MKZ earn a Top Safety Pick+ are modifications to its front-end structure that boost the vehicle’s small overlap front rating and front crash prevention system. The small overlap front test represents a frontal crash in which only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end is involved.

In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety track tests, MKZ avoided collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph. The car also has a forward collision warning component that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria.

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ also is available with a suite of intuitive, driver-assist technologies. Its Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection uses camera and radar technology to monitor the vehicle’s proximity to other vehicles and pedestrians. If a potential collision is detected, the system can alert the driver with visible and audible warnings and, if needed, pre-charge the brakes and increase brake sensitivity to help provide full responsiveness.

The lane-keeping system uses a forward-facing camera to detect lane markings. It can apply steering wheel torque and alert the driver with a steering wheel vibration should sensors detect drifting.

Finally, BLIS^® (Blind Spot Information System) with cross-traffic alert uses radar sensors to alert drivers with lights in their sideview mirrors if another vehicle is detected in Lincoln MKZ’s blind spots. When drivers are backing up, the system can detect a vehicle approaching from either side, notifying drivers with a warning light and an audible tone.

USA RECALL - HONDA - Over 300,000 Accords recalled for possible side airbag deployment if doors are forcefully shut.

• Side and/or side curtain airbags may inadvertently deploy if the ignition is on and a door is forcefully slammed or there is a significant impact to the vehicle underbody.
• Issue arises from side impact deployment threshold specification; Not a hardware or supplier issue.
• Free software update will adjust the deployment threshold.

Honda will voluntarily recall 303,904 model-year 2008-2009 Accord vehicles in the United States to update the side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) software, free of charge.

The SRS threshold setting for the side impact sensor is such that with the vehicle ignition on, if there is a strong, non-vehicular collision impact to the lower body of the vehicle or if a door is shut with extreme force, the SRS control unit may interpret the input as a crash and command the side seat airbag and/or side curtain airbag to deploy. 

Airbags that unexpectedly deploy may increase the risk of injury. Honda has received 19 injury claims related to this issue.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage each owner of an affected vehicle to take it to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Mailed notification to customers will begin in mid-December 2015. Additionally, owners of these vehicles can now determine if their vehicles will require repair by going to 

www.recalls.honda.com 

or by calling (888) 234-2138.