Inadvertent speeding soon to become a thing of the past - Siemens VDO Traffic Sign Recognition warns if driving too fast
Regensburg, August 04, 2006
With an electronic traffic sign recognition function Siemens VDO is offering a system which will shortly make inadvertent speeding a thing of the past. If the driver wishes, the adaptive cruise control function can also lower the current speed to the respective speed limit. A camera constantly scans the road ahead and can recognize speed limits on traffic signs. If driving too fast, the driver is warned by a conveniently visible signal on the head-up display for instance, or the speed set on the adaptive cruise control function can be automatically adjusted. The system has been developed as part of the pro.pilot project – Siemens VDO’s network of advanced driver assistance systems – and can go into series production in 2008.
Given today’s heavy traffic and plethora of traffic signs, it is easy to overlook speed limits, especially when driving in unfamiliar surroundings, exposing the driver, if not to potential dangers, at least inadvertently to the risk of a speeding fine. Siemens VDO’s Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) function is designed to remedy this in future. A camera scans the surroundings ahead of the vehicle and feeds the data to an onboard computer. The processing electronics search for traffic signs and also compare the data with information from the navigation system. If a speed limit is recognized, this is signaled to the driver on the speedometer or head-up display. Siemens VDO only allows the speed to be automatically reduced if the driver wishes. In this case the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system can automatically adapt the preset speed to the prescribed limit. This also minimizes the risk of inadvertent speeding on long motorway stretches with varying speed limits. The result is greater driving comfort and safety.
For Siemens VDO, as a system supplier in the field of advanced driver assistance systems, the comfortable interaction between driver and vehicle has been a key development focus in addition to the electronic environment scanning and recognition function. After all, the human-machine interface will ultimately decide whether driver assistance systems are accepted by motorists and can therefore help prevent accidents.
Photos and further information are available at: http://www.siemensvdo.com/press
Siemens VDO Automotive is a leading international automotive electronics and mechatronic supplier. The group is part of Siemens AG and generated sales of EUR 9.6 billion in the 2005 business year (30.9.).
Reference Number: SV 200608.005 en
