Friction-sensing technology helps cars adjust to weather conditions
Forecast device drives road safety
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Cars may be able to determine weather conditions and adjust speed accordingly in the future, using a sensoring system developed by an EU consortium.
The technology, which was devised through the EU-sponsored project Friction, allows vehicles to ‘see’ the road ahead by combining information from several sensors.
Swedish company Optical Sensors’ Road Eye device uses lasers to illuminate a spot on the road just ahead of the vehicle with two wavelengths of infrared light. A light-sensitive diode then measures the amount of light reflected back at each wavelength.
The Friction team demonstrated that Road Eye was good at discriminating between dry asphalt and asphalt covered with snow, ice or water, but found telling the difference between ice and water more difficult.
The researchers also looked at a camera that detects polarised light reflected from the road about 25m ahead. They found that the camera could see further than the Road Eye, but as it relies on ambient illumination it does not work as well under low-light conditions. However, tests showed that it can detect a wet or icy road with up to 80 per cent accuracy.
The group also experimented with a radar system operating at 24GHZ. They found that by comparing the amount of energy reflected back from the road at two different polarisation angles, they could tell the difference between a dry, wet, icy or snowy surface up to 30m ahead.
The researchers integrated this information with hardware that is capable of making hundreds of traction estimates a second.
It is expected that Friction’s automotive partners, Fiat and Volvo, and other manufacturers, will introduce friction-sensing features to their safety packages in a couple of years.
The objective of the project is to create an on-board system for estimating friction and road slipperiness to enhance the performance of integrated and cooperative safety systems like vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and driver information.
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Readers' comments (3)
Simon Martin | 12 Jan 2010 2:49 am
There are too many isues with such systems. While we accept they have a safety benefit for drivers are people abusing, or becoming reliant upon them?
ABS is a prime example, many drivers think they will stop a vehicle in any condition, and often drive dangerously in the belief that these systems are infalliable and will stop the vehicle. Many regular off road drivers find this is not the case. This is why many 4X4 vehicles switch off ABS when they are switched into 4WD applications.
There is no substitute for good driving techniques and experience, and many people may be able to get a vehicle from A to B, but they cannot drive. I would prefer driving standards to be raised, and in all conditions we would realistically be expected to drive in. This would include people understanding such systems, and their downfalls. Perhaps this would make people better drivers, and the systems reverting back to safety systems.
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Robert Plant | 18 Jan 2010 8:08 am
Whilst there is no substitute for good driving techniques etc experience shows that human beings not only think that technology is infallible but that they are too. We need technology that takes that into account also. How many 4x4 drivers for instance in snowy conditions forget that the inferior 2 wheel driven vehicles have 4 wheel breaking just the same as 4x4. A device to slow them down would at least eliminate some of the accidents.
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karen | 6 May 2010 11:12 am
No Nap is a inexpensive automobile safety device, that prevents drivers falling asleep at the wheel. This intelligent device is designed to detect when the driver is in danger of DOZING off and immediately alerts him / co-passengers. Prevents a potential crash. The light weight gadget fits over drivers left ear and triggers alert buzzer observing the drivers drowsiness. No Nap is a essential safety device a MUST HAVE on all road travels
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