Pedestrians and cyclists can now breath a huge sigh of relief as Bosch has developed a new safety system that provides increased protection for them both. The electronic system - Electronic Pedestrian Protection (EPP) - detects an impact with a human and activates systems to cushion the victim.
The new technology consists of acceleration sensors fitted to the front of the vehicle and a control unit used to trigger actuators that raise the vehicle’s bonnet within a fraction of a second.
This offers the impacting body a more efficient deformation zone and reduces the risk of injury to pedestrians.
Bernd Hergert, head of the occupant safety business unit at Bosch, revealed that the system is about to feature in two new cars.
He said: "Two vehicles with the Bosch EPP system are now in series production and additional applications will follow soon." Further developments, including the use of airbags, are also being considered as added measures for use in impact protection. Vehicle manufacturers can provide active impact protection with an independent control unit, or it can be integrated into the airbag control unit already present in the vehicle.
This is good news but still no scapegoat for reckless drivers.
FemaleFirst Jackie Violet