ABS Done, What Next?
By Krishan Kohli, Head India Market, BU Hydraulic Brake Systems & Vehicle Dynamics, and Managing Director — Continental Automotive Brakes Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd.
The automotive industry, in India as well as globally, has been going through upheaval for over 15 months now. However, road safety continues gaining momentum, with the necessary awareness being created by the implication of government-mandated safety regulations and well-rounded crash tests. While 2019 mandated safety technologies such as ABS, CBS (combined brake system), and airbags, we need to understand that next level of safety systems expected to make an entry into the Indian market. After all, well recognized by the government and consumers, safety no longer is an option!
As per government data, road crashes kill nearly 150,000 people each year in India. However, the WHO global status report on road safety had challenged these numbers and stated that India might be losing over 299,000 people each year to road accidents. In this scenario, safety technologies should not be considered as a luxury that will find place with only top-end models, even though equipping vehicles with safety features will have a small impact on vehicle pricing in the initial stages. Nevertheless, over time when safety installations become mandatory, costs will eventually come down due to the wide adoption and increasing scale, and this is how developed economies have evolved in the vehicle safety systems.
As a technology player, Continental has always believed in the concept of being future-ready. There is an array of technologies that have significantly helped reducing road crashes in developed markets, which can be deployed effectively to do the same for India. Here’s a look into some of these safety technologies:
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): One of the many reasons for crashes is late braking or not enough force on braking. Scenarios like a pedestrian crossing the road suddenly or distractions due to poor visibility could lead to fatal crashes while driving. The rider/driver is not always prepared to deal with such unforeseen situations, and in such critical situations, the AEB technology can be regarded as an impactful solution.
AEB is a crash avoidance feature that integrates state-of-the-art driver assistance systems with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The system uses a sensor network to continuously monitor and assess basic operating and driving situations such as acceleration, speed, and proximity to obstacles, along with brake pedal position and steering angle. This smart system aims to avoid crashes at any cost, and in an unavoidable scenario, it drastically helps in reducing the speed of the vehicle as much as possible. It is being estimated by experts that vehicles equipped with AEB will help reduce the number of road crashes by about 35 percent. The shorter reaction time of emergency brake systems can reduce the stopping distance significantly, resulting in avoiding accidents or at least minimizing the consequences of an accident.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Cruise Control is not a new technology, but it has recently got a bit of a makeover and is now capable enough to take some more load off the driver’s shoulder. In addition to its primary duty of assisting the driver in maintaining a steady speed on their journey, ACC helps in keeping an eye on other vehicles and obstacles on the road to avoid incidents.
With regards to 2-wheelers, Continental’s ARAS™ function of ACC enables motorcyclists to have a more relaxed and safe riding experience, especially on the long-distance highway and country road rides where riders could lose concentration. This intelligent function always ensures a safe distance to the vehicle in front and detects relevant objects in front even when riding in an inclined position, through the automatic adaption of the motorcycle’s speed. It results in stress-free, comfortable riding along with the flow of traffic, especially beneficial in supporting the rider on their daily route to work, along with an added advantage of a significant reduction in stopping distance.
Blind Spot Detection (BSD): Even the most meticulous driver has faced the situation of ‘near to crash’ owing to blind spots while changing lanes and being caught completely unaware of approaching vehicles. Although riders and drivers are careful to look over their shoulder and into their rear-view mirrors while changing lanes, a lot can be missed by the human eye, and also sometimes the vehicle structure itself comes in a way of clear visibility such as the A-pillar. This critical visual, however, gets the undivided attention of the blind spot detection technology.
The BSD solution, which is identical in nature for passenger cars and 2-wheelers, monitors areas considered as blind spots and can additionally indicate hazardous lane changes. Rearward facing radar sensors monitor the road area behind and next to the motorcycle, providing a warning if a lane change is not recommended at a given point in time. The system distinguishes between static and moving objects, thereby increasing safety during lane changes. It focuses on alerting the rider/driver to the presence of relevant objects within the detection zone with optical and/or haptic warning. In the case of passenger cars, the radar sensors are mounted at the side of the cabin to monitor the detection zone for relevant objects.
Lane Change Assist: Changing lanes in a busy road is no cakewalk and always poses a bit of a danger. There is a blind spot behind the car which is not always visible to the rear-view mirrors. The active lane change assists from Continental is an extension of the blind spot detection system, which supports the driver when changing lanes by alerting about any approaching vehicles that are in the blind spot.
To avoid a collision, cascaded feedback including a visual and haptic warning is enabled. The warnings are followed by limited steering or braking torque (amplitude, time) to keep the subject vehicle away from the approaching object.
Rear View Camera: The role played by the rear-view camera is varied across technologies, mainly in adding safety and convenience, especially while reversing a vehicle. The virtual pair of eyes at the back of the car assist the driver in avoiding obstacles that are not visible through the inside and outside rear view mirrors. The rear-view system increases the field of view for the driver, detects additional information for fusion with other parking systems, and supports trailer functions as well. A scalable camera concept offers from viewing only and leveling up to features such as active steering and braking support.
Traction Control: Simply put, traction control is an assistance feature that helps reduce tire slip when riding on slippery roads and surfaces. It helps to accelerate, brake, and steer properly and efficiently, which makes riding safer. Given the varied riding conditions in India, this technology could a suitable fit.
The 2-wheeler traction control system uses sensors to monitor if the front wheel is moving faster than the rear wheel, or vice versa, which is the main cause to lose control of the vehicle. Once the difference in speed of the two wheels is sensed, the traction control system induces the brakes to match the speeds of both the wheels. Thus, limiting the chance of slipping or skidding, and enabling a more controlled ride.
Optimized Curve Braking: When riders are traveling within cities, they generally ride through a plethora of curves and turns. They need to be particularly careful when applying brakes on curves, or their ride could end abruptly with a skidding fall. With optimized curve braking, the brake system takes the angled position of the motorcycle into account while brakes are being applied. Depending on the incline, the ABS control becomes aptly sensitive and the pressure modulation gets more flexible to improve vehicle handling in curves and making the braking process safer.
There are a variety of these safety technologies that can play a substantial role in limiting on-road fatalities. The abovementioned technologies especially are very relevant for markets like India, where the deaths caused by road crashes are alarmingly high. Though the long-standing ambition of making the passenger cars and 2-wheeler more affordable for the mass consumers has been coming in the way of technology adoption as a standard feature, all this while. The government’s proactive safety mandates and growing consumer awareness are catalyzing the faster introduction of advanced safety technologies in vehicles.
Let us bear in mind, safety is not a luxury anymore but a basic need which mankind very much deserves. We at Continental are proud of our “Vision Zero” and have all relevant safety technologies for both current and future market needs.
About the author
Krishan Kohli is Head India Market, BU Hydraulic Brake Systems & Vehicle Dynamics, and Managing Director — Continental Automotive Brakes Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Kohli joined Continental in 2018, bringing with him close to three decades of experience in automotive and commercial vehicle markets. His expertise covers both manufacturing and commercial business operations, including production, product development, sales, marketing, and commercial operations.
Kohli focuses on playing a key role in meeting the company’s growth goals and long-term strategy of “Vision Zero” in the region.
