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Blind Spot Assistant from MAN and Knorr-Bremse reduces urban road accidents

01 október, 2008 [Knorr-Bremse konszern ]

Truck manufacturer MAN and Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH have developed a so-called Blind Spot Assistant that helps reduce the risk of accidents when vehicles are turning at urban intersections.

Truck manufacturer MAN and Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH have developed a so-called Blind Spot Assistant that helps reduce the risk of accidents when vehicles are turning at urban intersections. The system is on show at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover and will become available as an option, initially on MAN heavy trucks, from late 2009/early 2010.

Trucks turning off at intersections represent a critical situation for pedestrians and cyclists on urban roads. An EU Directive now requires trucks over 3.5 tons to be equipped with additional mirrors to extend the driver’s indirect field of vision, but it is still difficult for him to spot pedestrians and cyclists on the vehicle near side. This is where the new system developed by MAN and Knorr-Bremse comes in.

The Blind Spot Assistant helps reduce the risk involved when a vehicle turns off. Ultrasound sensors mounted on the vehicle’s fender and near side provide a picture of the surrounding area. A control unit then combines this information with data from the engine, other vehicle sensors and the indicator lights. If a pedestrian or cyclist enters the danger area to the front or side of the truck while it is stationary, the Blind Spot Assistant uses optical and acoustic signals to warn the driver of the potential danger as soon as the vehicle begins to move off. This can effectively reduce the risk of accidents.

During the IAA Commercial Vehicles, MAN and Knorr-Bremse are providing daily demonstrations of the Blind Spot Assistant at 10:30, 13:00, 15:30 and 17:30 on the VDA Innovation Stage (outdoor area north of Hall 26).

Based in Munich (Germany), the MAN Commercial Vehicle Group is the biggest company within the MAN Group and one of the leading international suppliers of top-performing trucks and innovative transportation solutions. In 2007 the company, with a workforce of more than 36,000, achieved sales of over 93,000 trucks and 7,300 MAN and NEOPLAN buses and bus chassis worth EUR 10.4 billion. The MAN TGX and TGS truck range was also voted “Truck of the Year 2008“, making MAN the first commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world to achieve this international honor seven times.

The Knorr-Bremse Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles. For more than 100 years now the company has pioneered the development, production and marketing of state-of-the-art braking systems. Other lines of business include automatic door systems, rail vehicle air conditioning systems and torsional vibration dampers for internal combustion engines. In 2007 the Group posted sales of EUR 3.25 billion and employed a workforce of 14,000.

 
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