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Standards (relating to pooling data, consumer privacy issues, and the like) are being spearheaded by the Motor Vehicle Safety Research Advisory Council. GM has used a vehicle sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) to record information about the readiness of airbag systems — when sensors are activated — and driver's safety belt usage at deployment or at near-deployment.

"GM research engineers have now used advancements in technology to connect the SDM to a local area network within the vehicle," notes Terry Rhadigan, Manager of Safety Issues on GM's communications staff. The advanced event recorder stores vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle position, and brake use — at one second intervals — taken just prior to a crash. "The recorded data is available for retrieval and evaluation even if the battery has been disconnected or SDM box has been unplugged," notes Rhadigan.

GM uses a proprietary Event Recorder Retrieval Unit that interfaces with a standard Tech 1 scan tool to download data through the vehicle diagnostic connector. So that data can be shared with researchers, GM will use Vetronix Corporation's software and interface cables linking to a laptop computer. (The Santa Barbara company's retrieval kits are scheduled for release this year.) An enhanced SDM was installed on select 1999 model year vehicles: Buick Century, Park Avenue, and Regal; Cadillac Eldorado, DeVille, and Seville; Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette; and Pontiac Firebird. Over the next four to five years, GM expects to have the advanced event recorder on all of its vehicles (including Saturn).

Suppliers are addressing vehicle safety issues through electronics and electronic byproducts. A sensor that disarms the battery in event of a collision eliminates the possibility of arc-originated fire. This product is expected to hit the market in model year 2002.

Generation II power electronics bay on EV1.

Although the battery cut-off sensor package is electronics-void, the sensor permits continued operation of must-have vehicle electronics. "In the event of an accident you'd want your in-vehicle communications system to work, and your power doors to open," says Victor Herrera, Account Manager with First Inertia Switch in Grand Blanc, MI.

The sensor features a reset button — useful to service technicians as well as vehicle shippers. First Inertia's cut-off sensor also can be turned off to prevent vehicle theft. "No other battery cut-off sensor package has a reset device," Herrera says.

In another electronics/sensor application, a single-point, light plane sensor package from Novi, MI-based Prospects, Corp. "automatically senses if a hand, or finger, or piece of paper — anything — is in the power window and stops the window instantaneously," says Prospects President and CEO Christopher O'Connor.

What differentiates the patented SmartWindow from other express up/down, open/close systems is that no body part or object ever connects with the window. "The SmartWindow non-contact system is the only product that will keep you out of a pinch," O'Connor notes. The detection system — adaptable to power sliding doors, power sunroofs, or power hatches — is targeted as a factory-installed offering in model year 2002 for the North American market.

General Motors is using an infrared sensor that detects a person through heat signature and motion readings in its Automatic Trunk Detection and Opener System. "Our electronic systems senses both movement and temperature, and will open the car trunk if it detects a temperature differential — such as the heat signature of mammals — and motion. The system is active only when the car's transmission is in park," explains Gary White, Vehicle Line Executive for the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo. The Automatic Trunk Detection and Opener System is expected to be standard equipment on the 2000 Chevrolet Impala, and a version of the electronic system will be offered on GM's complete family of cars by model year 2002. A manual trunk release will be included as part of the automatic system.

Earlier this year, GM became the first automaker to offer dealer-installed trap-resistant trunk kits for cars dating back to the 1990 model year. The kit includes a modified trunk latch that requires manual reset before the trunk lid will close and latch as well as an interior trunk release handle.

Although likely years away from practical application, DaimlerChrysler has developed a driver-assistance system that mates vehicle electronics to traffic lights. The Electronic Draw-Bar controls forward, backward, and lateral movement of truck convoys. While the lead truck is driver-steered, the pursuit truck follows the first truck's tracks via an electronic link.

Using a stretch of the Lake Constance Freeway (near Constance, Germany), DaimlerChrysler demonstrated its system earlier this year. "The technological options now available from the application of electronics to the automobile and to traffic flow control are opening the way for a wealth of completely novel systems over the next 10 to 15 years," notes Hans-Georg Metzler, Head of the Machine Understanding and Autonomous Systems Laboratories at DaimlerChrysler's Research and Development Division.