Co-founder and CTO of Tactile Mobility, Boaz Mizrachi, discussed five ways sensors are helping to prevent accidents in a recent opinion editorial published by PropertyCasualty360. 

Tactile Mobility uses advanced tech, like sensors and AI, to provide safer roads, the article says. 

Sensory Enhancement 

“Sensors enhance a driver’s ability to perceive their environment, providing a deeper understanding of both the vehicle and the world around it,” the editorial says. 

A more common system, blind spot detection, uses sensors to monitor areas outside the driver’s field of vision. 

Lidar is used in more advanced systems and is capable of creating a real-time map of the vehicle’s surroundings, the editorial says. It is able to classify various objects, such as pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles, while also determining the distance between objects and the vehicle. 

“However, seeing isn’t the whole picture; vehicles must also feel the road,” Mizrachi says. “New virtual tactile sensors gather detailed information about the road surface and the vehicle’s interaction with it, effectively giving the vehicle a ‘sense of touch.'”

Tactile sensors can collect data on tire pressure, wheel speed, and suspension movement to determine road conditions. This could include sensors detecting variations in surface texture and providing feedback on tire grip and surface conditions to the driver. 

Real-time Hazard Detection 

The editorial says sensors on tires are one way that technology is being used to identify real-time hazards. These could include dangerous road conditions such as icy patches or debris on the road surface. 

“Temperature sensors embedded in the tires or undercarriage can detect when the road surface is cold enough to form ice,” the editorial says. “Additionally, virtual sensors for grip-level detection can physically identify when the surface is slippery. By analyzing changes in traction and friction, the system can determine the presence of ice and alert the driver to the increased risk of slipping, prompting them to adjust their driving behavior accordingly.”

Other sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes can sense vibrations and detect surface conditions such as potholes, according to the editorial. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication could provide the information to drivers ahead of reaching a pothole, the article says. 

“By combining data from tire sensors, temperature sensors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes, vehicles can create a detailed and accurate picture of road conditions in real time. This holistic approach, enhanced by the interconnectivity of vehicles, allows for proactive hazard mitigation, such as adaptive adjustments to vehicle dynamics and preemptive alerts to drivers, ensuring a safer and more informed driving experience,” the article says. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a plan in August to accelerate the use of vehicles that can connect to everything around them, such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure. 

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology is one tool that could reduce deaths and serious injuries on the nation’s roadways, the plan says. 

A short-term goal in the plan calls for having V2X deployed on 20% of the National Highway System within the next four years. This would increase to 50% between 2029 and 2031 and 100% between 2032 and 2036. 

Collision Avoidance 

Collision avoidance systems are designed to detect potential hazards and adjust the vehicle’s speed to prevent accidents, the editorial says. This includes the use of radar, ultrasonic, and lidar sensors working with adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems. 

“So, for example, when the vehicle is in cruise control mode, and the system detects that the vehicle in front is slowing down, it automatically reduces speed to maintain a pre-determined safe gap.” the editorial says. “When traffic clears, the system accelerates to return to the set cruising speed.”

Speed can also be adjusted by the system’s ability to identify vehicle weight and tire wear in real-time, the editorial says 

Predictive Maintenance 

Predictive maintenance uses sensor data to predict and prevent potential mechanical failures, the editorial says. The sensors can monitor key components such as the engine, brakes, and tires. 

“For instance, engine sensors can detect abnormal temperature fluctuations that might indicate issues like a coolant leak or a failing thermostat,” the editorial says. “Similarly, sensors on brake pads measure their thickness and wear, providing early warnings when they approach the end of their useful life.” 

The sensors could prevent catastrophic equipment failure while the vehicle is on the road, the editorial says. 

Better navigation 

The editorial says real-time navigation systems integrate data from GPS, traffic sensors, and V2V communications to provide drivers with updates on traffic flow, road closures, and potential obstacles. 

Volvo announced in March it will soon start integrating European vehicles with safety technology that alerts drivers of accidents ahead. 

Accident Ahead Alert will use real-time data from traffic management centers to inform drivers about crashes.

“You’re driving down a winding country road,” the release says. “It’s impossible to see beyond the road in front of you. Suddenly, your Volvo car alerts you: there’s been an accident ahead. As you calmly decelerate and come around the next curve, you see a crashed car in your lane. Thanks to the warning, you were prepared and could react proactively.”

The editorial says the systems can also be used to inform drivers about the most fuel-efficient routes and highlight nearby amenities such as gas stations, rest stops, and restaurants. 

“Looking forward, the widespread adoption of sensor technology promises safer roads by providing real-time data, predictive insights, and automated safety features,” the editorial says. “This ongoing evolution not only enhances immediate driving conditions but also lays the foundation for future autonomous driving systems.”

OEM Summit Session II “How Telematics Technologies Are Evolving the Consumer Experience” will dive into the issue and how it relates to drivers, the vehicle, collision repair businesses and auto insurance providers.

The session will be Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in S233 at SEMA in Las Vegas.

Speakers Hilary Cain, Alliance for Automotve Innovation senior vice president of policy, John Eck, head of product for Collision Assistance at GM Enterprise Innovation and Ryan McMahon, Cambridge Mobile Telematics senior vice president of strategy and corporate development will lead the discussion.

“Real-time digital data directly from the crash scene improves the accuracy and speed of how the industry can serve the consumer, and the availability of information today has evolved the relationship through enhanced crash detection, accident reconstruction and consumer communication,” the session’s description says. “This session delves into real ways in which automotive and consumer telematics technologies are revolutionizing the relationship between the consumer and service industries intent on setting new industry standards for safety, satisfaction, and technological integration.”

To register click here.

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