The automotive industry has progressively mimicked the process known as the digitizedation. We have smart and autonomous cars, capable of making decisions or anticipating any unforeseen event that may occur while driving. vehicles capable of save lifes.
active security systems they are feeding off this change in the industry, where investment in R&D is mandatory, not optional. And it is becoming more and more necessary to automate the driver's own functions and eliminate the human factor as much as possible. Today, there are many systems that allow us to have a safer driving, helping both the driver and those around him. But what do these systems consist of? Let's see the main ones that include [or should include] the brands in the sector:
Anti-lock brakes or ABS
One of the most traditional and efficient systems, essential in every vehicle. Its main function is prevent tires from locking during sudden braking. This occurs when, frequently in an unexpected situation, we exert a greater force than usual on the brake pedal.
El ABS In this situation, it prevents the wheels from locking and sliding on the road, causing a considerable increase in the stopping distance and, in addition, losing control over the direction. As it does? Releasing pressure on the brake system so that the wheel continues to roll. Nevertheless, this system is not infallible, since given some exceptional situation, such as braking on roads with snow or mud, its function may not be as expected.
Electronic brake force distribution or EBD
The EBD is complemented by the ABS, that is, both systems work better together. It is an intelligent system capable of distributing the braking force between the axles based on the weight that each wheel is supporting, preventing the brake system from overloading and entering a constant locking and unlocking phase when the vehicle is stopped.
An example of use of this system would be a sudden braking in a straight line with flow of traffic. As a general rule, when a vehicle brakes, its weight moves forward. The weight on the front axle is increased, acting on a greater grip of the front wheels. On the other hand, the rear wheels may lose grip, since the weight on the rear axle is less. If the EBD determines that the rear wheels can be locked, it acts and does not allow a greater braking force on the rear axle.
Vehicle load is not uniform, changes while driving, so the function of this system is paramount in safe driving.
Stability control or ESP
While driving, maintaining control of the car is paramount. There are many conditions that can affect the loss of control of the vehicle: inadequate speed, worn tires, sudden braking or acceleration, wet road or in poor condition... If you do not control the car, you have a problem. This system tries to keep the vehicle on the correct path, acting on the wheels independently.
El ESP It acts by braking the necessary wheels when it detects that the car is deviating from the path chosen by the driver. How do you determine it? By means of rotation speed sensors of each wheel, rotation sensors of the steering wheel and the longitudinal acceleration sensor.
The stability control system acts on of situations:
- When the vehicle oversteers (turns more than we indicate with the steering wheel, goes ass)
- When understeer (turns less than indicated with the steering wheel, goes nose).
In the first case, the system will act by braking the outer front wheel of the curve. In the second, braking the rear wheel inside the curve, preventing the vehicle from going off the outside of the curve.
Traction control or TCS
He is one of those in charge of The vehicle's drive wheels remain in contact with the road and do not skid.. On use usually occurs on surfaces that slide, as in snowy, wet or muddy roads but also when it exceeds the acceleration.
For example, if we are on a snowy slope trying to climb it without chains, if we do not have this system we will not be able to advance on the road. On a slippery climb, the TCS would act by progressively braking the wheel that loses grip during acceleration and reducing engine power.
automatic emergency braking
As its name suggests, this system is capable of automatically braking, preventing accidents in advance to unexpected situations in which the driver may suffer a collision with a vehicle, animal or pedestrian. This is achieved thanks to devices or radars installed on the front of the car. If the driver does not react in time before a pedestrian crosses and the car thinks there may be an impact, automatic braking will come into action. This can avoid the impact in most cases, or at least reduce the damage.
The system, to warn of the excessive proximity of the vehicle with any of the above elements, can emit sound and light warnings as a last resort before acting. If the driver does not act before these signals, the system will be activated. It should be noted that this automatic braking system No. it is infallible, since there have been cases in which the recognition of objects has not acted correctly and, therefore, has not stopped before them. Without a doubt, it is a system that can anticipate countless unforeseen events in driving that can cause accidents, but the driver is always ultimately responsible.
Tire pressure monitoring or TPMS
It has been shown that one of the main causes of accidents on the roads is the use of tires in poor condition or without the pressure indicated by the manufacturer. This system is used to motorized measurement of the pressure level of each tire independently. In addition, some also report the temperature of each wheel.
Brake assist system or BAS
In an emergency stop, the driver tends to make the quick gesture of stopping the acceleration and braking, but not always using all the possible force that the brake pedal allows. Ultimately, the stopping distance is increased. The BAS allows that in these situations the vehicle can brake with maximum power even if the driver presses the pedal with insufficient pressure to avoid impact.
Hill Start Assist or Hill Holder
It is one more function of the ESP system, which, by means of a sensor, detects the angle of inclination of the bodywork. If the car is stopped on a surface that exceeds the angle of inclination, we will start with the help of the Hill Holder, which will apply pressure to the front brake circuit and will prevent the vehicle from going backwards for a few moments when the foot is lifted from the pedal brake.
This system is a faithful ally for those who are afraid to start on those steep slopes and who have to juggle the handbrake or the clutch to get out of those situations.
blind spot monitoring
One of the latest active security systems. Without a doubt, one of the most dangerous and feared maneuvers by drivers is lane change or overtaking on, for example, highways and motorways. This system helps avoid collisions when we carry out these actions, since it detects and alerts the driver about the presence of vehicles in the dead angle (area to the side of the car in which the driver cannot see through any rear-view mirror) of the rear-view mirrors.
Lane Departure Warning
Its function is as simple as it is necessary, since it frequently happens that some drivers look away from the road (either due to distractions or drowsiness) and leave the lane involuntarily, endangering their own physical integrity and that of those around them. surround. The system will act when the vehicle leaves the lane without using the turn signals, warning the driver through an acoustic and light signal and even through a vibration in the seat or steering wheel.
To correct this situation, some vehicles incorporate the lane keeping assist. Unlike the previous one, which only has the alert function, this system has a double function: alert and act. In the event that the driver does not change his/her trajectory in response to the involuntary lane departure warning, the system will act on the steering by turning the steering wheel to get back on track.
Adaptive Cruise Control or ACC
Conventional cruise control allows the driver to select a speed for the vehicle to maintain without using the accelerator pedal. With this we manage to maintain a more constant rhythm and avoid that, by mistake, we fall into excess speed. It is only deactivated by touching the brake or by pressing the button for said function.
The ACC or Adaptive Cruise Control is an evolution of this system. In addition to maintaining a stable speed, slows down the vehicle and maintains a correct safety distance if we approach another vehicle or, for example, overtakes us and slows down. If the car in front of us brakes, our car does too.
fatigue control
Related to the above, there are systems that can detect if the driver is tired while driving. When we are tired reflexes and attention to the wheel worsen. This system works through cameras that detect the movement of the eyes and the rate of the driver's blinking. In other words, they analyze a pattern of behavior that all drivers generally have.
As soon as the system appreciates that this is altered, an alarm is activated (usually on the dashboard or acoustics) that advises the driver to stop and rest. It also analyzes the number of driving hours, the number of corrections at the wheel, lane changes without flashing...
Recognition of traffic signs
This last system in the article can not only help you maintain the proper speed on a road in case you have not seen the sign that indicated it (it will usually indicate it on the instrument panel), but also they can get you out of a fine.
Excessive speed implies a greater risk of having an accident, so it is important that this system reminds us at what speed we should drive. Also, and depending on the brands, it is capable of detecting other signs such as the prohibited circulation, alerting us in case of making a mistake.
In the automotive industry, security is a fundamental aspect. For this reason, new systems gradually appear or are improved that can help prevent accidents and reduce the high mortality rate on the roads. However, we must not forget that although these help make driving safer, the human factor will always be the main actor in traffic accidents.