What technologies are needed for autonomous vehicles, and how can a car’s design reflect these cutting edge innovations?
This article dives into the latest advancements in automotive safety and design, offering insights on how to enhance vehicle aesthetics to complement autonomous technology.
DEVELOPMENTS IN AUTONOMOUS DRIVING AND SAFETY SYSTEMS
Autonomous vehicles technology or self-driving cars are advancing in new ways of navigating roads independently without human control, responding to traffic conditions, and making real-time decisions. ARRK excels in driver assistance and automated driving systems. They possess deep expertise in safety requirements, sensors and control unit integration, car software development, and rigorous testing and validation of automotive safety features. Their dedication pushes the boundaries of both passive and active safety systems to meet the demands of the evolving automotive landscape.
Explore the advanced technologies that ARRK specialises in to ensure safer and more autonomous vehicles.
Passive Safety Systems
Passive safety features are crucial components of a vehicle’s structure and design, dedicated to protecting occupants and minimising injury in an accident.
- Airbags
- Inflate rapidly during a collision to provide a cushion that protects the head and upper body from striking the interior of the vehicle. Sensors detect a collision and trigger the inflation of airbags within milliseconds.
- Seatbelts
- Restrain occupants and prevent them from being thrown around inside or ejected from the vehicle during a collision. Modern seat belts are equipped with pretensioners that tighten the belt in a crash and force limiters that allow some belts to extend to reduce the force on the occupant’s chest.
- Crumple Zones
- Absorb and dissipate collision energy through specially designed areas of the vehicle’s structure that deform in a controlled manner during a crash.
- Reinforced Passenger Cell
- Maintain the integrity of the passenger compartment to protect occupants. Strong, rigid frame built with high-strength materials to withstand impacts and prevent intrusion into the passenger space.
- Whiplash Protection
- This system prevents the risk of neck injuries during rear-end collisions. It encompasses active head restraints that reduce the gap between the occupants head and the headrest, seat backs that absorb and manage impact energy and proper headrest design to protect occupants.
- Child Safety Systems
- The system enhances child protection in collisions by securely attaching child seats to the vehicle, ensuring optimal restraint and minimising injury risk. These seats are installed according to end user specifications, allowing for customization to meet individual needs.
Active Safety Systems
The Active Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) is crucial for road safety, using advanced car sensors and computing to analyse surroundings in real time and prevent any car accidents.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- This system uses cameras or sensors to monitor lane markings and alerts the driver with a beep or vibration of the wheel if the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signalling. This helps prevent accidents caused by distraction, fatigue, or road conditions by alerting the driver to unintentional lane departures.
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Sensors like cameras, RADAR (radio detection and ranging), or LIDAR (light detection and ranging) to monitor the vehicles or objects ahead. It alerts the driver to imminent collisions, like sudden stops or hidden obstacles, giving more time to react.
- Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
- This system enhances safety by detecting vehicles in blind spots using radar or ultrasonic sensors. It continuously monitors areas beside and behind the vehicle that traditional mirrors miss, improving driver awareness, particularly in heavy traffic where blind spots are more common.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- This safety system uses sensors and cameras to detect potential collisions. If the driver doesn’t react, AEB can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or reduce impact, detecting sudden stops or obstacles. In low-visibility conditions, it identifies obstacles like pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- This system enhances safety by preventing unintentional lane departures. It gently steers the vehicle back into its lane using brakes or steering assist if the driver accidentally drifts out of lane. It reduces driver fatigue and the risk of side-swipe collisions, both on highways and in city traffic.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- This system maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead while keeping the cruise control speed. It automatically slows down for slower traffic and resumes the preset speed when the road clears. By reducing the need for manual adjustments, it minimises abrupt accelerations and decelerations, offering a smoother and more comfortable driving experience.
STYLING THE AUTOMOTIVE FUTURE
In today’s automotive market, consumers desire both striking design and exceptional safety features, a successful vehicle design balances robust automated safety features with captivating style.
ARRK specialises in creating mock-ups and rapid prototyping designs that bring new concepts to life. Our expertise in physical models includes developing detailed components such as bumpers, casings, and metal frames.
Find out how ARRK can refine your vehicle style.
Prototype Creation and Assembly
ARRK has extensive experience in constructing automotive mock-ups by using various techniques, such as 3D printing, casting or CNC machining. We assemble components to precisely match design specifications such as exterior panels, interior features, and, at times, functional elements or full-scale vehicle mock-ups. We utilise materials such as Aluminium, ABS, PC and chemical wood to create the most realistic car models.
Realistic Preview
The mock-ups provide a tangible representation of the final product, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the car’s aesthetic appeal. We are able to incorporate multiple details, surface finishes and textures to create a complete replica of the final product. This enables designers and stakeholders to evaluate the visual impact of various design elements. This ensures that the final product is not only functional but also visually appealing.
Design Refinement
We will manage the necessary changes based on feedback from designers, stakeholders, surveys, and potential users, making adjustments to the design accordingly. If significant changes are required, a new prototype or model may be developed from scratch. For less extensive modifications, existing prototypes or models can be updated to reflect the revised design, saving time and resources before finalising the model.
Cost Efficiency
ARRK offers a one-stop solution for mock-ups, allowing for quick and cost-effective modifications to prototype designs. Identifying and addressing issues during the mock-up stage can significantly reduce expensive changes during mass production. Mock-ups can also be utilised for marketing and presentation purposes, enabling potential buyers or investors to see and interact with the design firsthand.
At ARRK, we are dedicated to shaping the automotive future with the development of software integration and creation of precise prototype models. We maintain the highest standards in the automotive industry to ensure exceptional prototyping and manufacturing services. Contact us today to discover how we can elevate and support your project.
