29 June 2010

BMW in active braking research

BMW is working on an active hazard braking system as part of a joint research initiative with 27 other companies in the automotive sector.

The AKTIV project involves electronics, telecommunications and software companies as well as the Munich carmaker, and is aimed at providing adaptive and cooperative technologies for intelligent traffic management.

The BMW system under development uses laser scanners to monitor the road ahead and to the side, and a radar system to the rear. Driver behaviour is also monitored.

Many accidents can be attributed to slow driver reaction and such systems have much faster reaction ability on their own.