Automotive News - January 21, 2008 - (Page 28P)

28P • JANUARY 21, 2008 Age of intelligent transportation is getting closer Denso exec: Day is near when vehicles and roads share information Leslie J. Allen lallen@crain.com DETROIT — In about four years, U.S. drivers could begin seeing intelligent transportation systems, in which the road will communicate with drivers, a Denso executive said last week at the Detroit auto show. In such systems, drivers would re- ceive wireless warnings about traffic congestion or what’s coming up at the next intersection. Doug Patton, senior vice president, engineering division, Denso International America Inc., said the Japanese auto supplier is working with industry groups and government agencies to set standards and test the effectiveness of dedicated short-range communications technology, which allows data to be transmitted from the road to vehicles. “Our intent is to expand the horizon of awareness for drivers and provide them necessary informa- expand the horizon of awareness for drivers and provide them necessary information quickly and conveniently. “ Our intent is to tion quickly and conveniently,” Patton told reporters. More help on the way In an interview with Automotive News, Patton said widespread use of other technologies that provide warnings to drivers is not far away. Among the first will be lane-departure notification systems and collision-avoidance systems, which are already available in some vehicles. He said that as the federal government looks at ways to revise its New Car Assessment Program, currently known as its five-star crash rating system, such technologies will become more prevalent. “As those things become part of society’s recognition for safety, the automakers and the suppliers look to put those in more vehicles,” Patton said. Once the warning technologies have been adopted, the next step is systems that act in response to the warning, he said. DOUG PATTON Denso International America ” Reducing distractions Patton outlined several of Denso’s technologies related to safety and reduction of driver distraction. Denso is working on haptic devices, which use forces, vibrations or clicks to give drivers a better feel for the devices they are operating so that the drivers can keep their eyes on the road. Denso is developing a haptic roller dial that will be mounted on a vehicle’s steering wheel. The device will let drivers control multiple vehicle functions by operating the dial with their thumbs while still gripping the steering wheel. Other types of haptic devices that may gain popularity are centerconsole controls that function like joysticks, similar to BMW’s controversial iDrive. “I think they’ll become more prevalent as time goes on, especially because you can provide more functions in those devices as opposed to a touch screen, Patton said. “And also there’s the issue of reaching the touch screen. That’s another distraction.” Innovative Technology The Brose Group is one of the fastest growing international automotive suppliers. Worldwide, about 9,800 employees at 40 international locations in 20 countries are engaged in the development and production of components and systems for automobiles. Today you can find a Brose product in every fourth vehicle produced worldwide. Whether you are opening the car door or window at the touch of a button, actuating the liftgate, accessing your seatbelt or memorizing the position of your mirror or steering wheel, Brose technology supports you invisibly in many vehicles. More than 40 automakers and leading seat manufacturers rely on Brose’s technically advanced products – an advantage for automakers and a benefit to consumers. To ensure our products remain innovative, more than 9 percent of Brose employees worldwide work toward the continuous development of products and processes. Best of both worlds If you combine haptic and headup display technology, he said, “You can kind of get the benefit of both worlds. You can keep your eyes on the road and you can get the feel for whatever you want to control.” But Patton said there is only so much that technology can do to reduce driver distraction because there are so many distractions unrelated to operating a car, such as a driver sipping coffee or dealing with children in the back seat. “When driver distraction goes down that route, these things don’t help,” he said. Patton said Denso also is working on technologies that monitor a driver’s physical condition, such as eye blinks and heart rate. Denso Corp. ranks No. 3 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers with estimated worldwide original-equipment automotive parts sales of $24.00 billion in 2006. c Brose’s concept technologies provide drivers the innovative functionality that its products are known for worldwide. From the ease of power systems that open and close side-doors and liftgates, to the convenience of a sunblind that is integrated into the rear doors – Brose continues to prove its industry leadership. Brose North America 3933 Automation Ave. Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Phone: (248) 339-4000 Fax: (248) 339-4099 Internet: www.brose.com The Brose Group Germany Belgium Brazil Canada China Czechia France Great Britain India Japan Mexico Portugal Slovakia South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Turkey USA http://www.brose.com http://www.brose.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - January 21, 2008

Campi will move fast to buy global Ford rolls out new F series — but will it stay No. 1? GM will push metro megastores BMW: We may need a 'green' brand Competition claims traditions German summit Toyota: We have enough plants for now Chinese pitch innovation, not just price Mercedes in, Cadillac out as sponsor of Masters golf tournament Auto show walkaround: Chasing the YIPS around Detroit New Acura TSX will get a diesel Toyota: We'll crack 35-mpg CAFE before 2020 Audi predicts 1 million global sales in 2008 Toyota crosses over into tricky segment LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Digital edition is a 'quantum leap' KEITH CRAIN: Here they come, ready or not EDITORIAL: Incentives war isn't the answer to sales downturn LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Toyota over Chevy? Don’t be too sure DIGITAL EDITION: You did your homework Chrysler concepts show brand tweaks Chrysler: 'Hemi is not powertrain of the future' Some of what we heard at the Detroit auto show Corvette has a future — but maybe a lighter, greener one Nissan exec: Cube is coming to America Subaru relies on new Forester Farley: Ford must groom the market Ford still funds Jag, Land Rover product development Ford will probably develop its new rwd cars in the U.S. Volvo considers North American production Good design: Solving problems, making a statement Horbury wants a more aerodynamic F-150 Hyundai upgrades next Sonata's interior M-B could build C class in U.S. VW hints at vehicles for new N.A. plant Customer demand for CTS sedans strains production capabilities at Cadillac GM to test ZR1 carbon fiber weight savings Honda Pilot has more room, power Indiana plant will boost Honda's flexibility Zetsche sees 20% diesel mix for Mercedes-Benz GM hopes to have E-Flex test vehicles ready by June GM to increase Enclave output Cadillac aims high with Provoq Pontiac to launch G8 marketing in March Big-truck sales fall 43.5% in Dec. Personnel Buckle up for a rocky '08, economists warn Canada sales up 2.4% in '07 Gioia: Ford hybrids will be profitable by year end American Honda opens workplace diversity office Dealers From CDs to Sync: Auto industry races to adapt in-car IT trends Microsoft exec sees a car as 'another room in the house' China's Geely plans plant in Mexico Chrysler exec: China exporters need time Murtaugh: Nissan deal won't affect Chrysler-Chery venture Strike by writers makes TV iffy for auto marketers Super Bowl auto advertisers get pre-game jitters Final Say GM bumps buyout total to 46,000 GM considers U.S.-made Astra Good Karma: Mean, green, fighting machine Purves confirms it: The end is near Rehab for designers: A change can do you good Tata's achievement: Redefining 'cheap' Fans remember auto commercials with sports themes Which brand is stronger — Scion or Prius? Engine advances bring cleaner emissions a step closer Suppliers to the 2008 Ford Focus Varable compression ratio makes a comeback Change the engine's stroke Integrate components to boost efficiency Reduce the size of the engine Eliminate the cams and count the savings ZF expects surge in new orders American Axle's rising son may be another Dauch Honda taps Web for workers Trelleborg unit adds tech center Kia restricts hiring at Ga. plant to Web applicants Magna pursues Ogihara Supplier personnel Age of intelligent transportation is getting closer Plastic spoiler saves weight Automotive News' cartoonist looks at 2007 8 will enter European Automotive Hall of Fame Pininfarina lifted family business to new heights Merciless cost cutter Calvet rescued PSA Opel boys turned bicycle venture into automaker Giacosa fathered the Fiat 500 JCI to supply batteries to Chinese automakers Automakers will spend more on digital ads Ford snares star role in return of 'Knight Rider' GM Certified markets online to Hispanics Writers' strike could benefit auto marketers

Automotive News - January 21, 2008

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