Components maker aims safety cameras at non-luxury vehicles

Livonia, Mich.-based TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. announced Thursday it launched production of the Scalable video camera, or S-Cam, a set of products the vendor says can work with vehicle chassis systems to provide driver assist functions.

The technology will be available on vehicles from five manufacturers later this year, TRW stated, noting it is aiming the safety technology on popular mid-sized sedans.

 “In North America, in the coming five years, we expect to see a strong demand for camera systems – particularly in light of the high frequency of accidents caused by lane drift,” TRW executive vice president of sales and business development Peter Lake stated in a press release. “According to 2011 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, 53% of road fatalities result from a roadway departure.”

This type of technology is already on several vehicles. For example, some of Ford’s Explorers and its 2013 Fusion include its Lane Keeping System. BMW has what it calls Lane Departure Warning while Mercedes-Benz has Active Lane Keeping Assist.

“The demand will not be limited to the luxury car segments, with TRW launching its affordable camera technology on popular mid-sized sedans and sport utilities over the next several years,” stated Tolga Oal, vice president and general manager of TRW Global Electronics, in a press release.

Washington, D.C.-based Auto Alliance has said 66% of consumers responding to an opinion poll said they are interested in getting driver assist technologies, such as lane departure, blind spot monitoring and pedestrian detection, when they next purchase a vehicle.

It announced the poll results last November, three days before the start of the L.A. Auto Show. At that time the Auto Alliance also launched a YouTube channel with 19 playlists explaining the technologies.

TRW, whose products include brakes, steering systems, seat belts and air bags, also announced Thursday it is investing in its global electronics plant in Marshall, Ill., about 300 kilometres south of Chicago.

In addition to lane departure warning, the S-Cam is also said to provide forward collision warning, headlight control, traffic sign recognition and pedestrian detection.

“When integrated with vehicle chassis systems, the S-Cam can provide advanced active driver assist (DAS) functions including lane keeping and lane centering (together with electric steering) and automatic emergency braking (together with radar and electronic stability control),” TRW stated. 

The S-Cam uses technology from Amsterdam-based MobileEye N.V., which makes monocolar cameras that use software to provide safety functions including land departure warning, forward collision control and pedestrian detection.  MobileEye’s vehicle detection system is currently used on some Volvo vehicles.