Automobiles have changed the way the world works, and even if you don’t personally drive a vehicle, your life has been improved as a result of automobiles. From transportation to and from work to freight hauling and emergency medical services, automobiles provide vital services that support modern life. Despite the many benefits of cars, trucks, buses and other ground vehicles, safety has been a concern and a challenge for automobile manufacturers. Thankfully, innovative solutions have been implemented in today’s automobiles that can have made road travel safer than ever. Below are some examples of safety tech in modern automobiles:
Airbags
Airbag systems deploy an inflated cushion when an impact occurs. Modern airbags often rely on impact switch systems that actuate in the event of a crash. These switches may come from an impact switch manufacturer like Select Controls Inc. which also supplies components for use in other transportation and industrial settings.
An airbag deploys incredibly quickly when an impact has been detected. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags deploy in 1/20th of a second, allowing vehicle occupants to remain protected in the driver’s seat and passenger seats. Airbag technology has also evolved to include side-curtain airbags that protect vehicle occupants from collisions that take place from the sides of a vehicle.
Vehicle Camera Systems
Vehicle camera systems are safety features that are relatively new, and these systems allow drivers to get a better view around a vehicle’s exterior. Backup cameras provide a wide-angle view of what’s behind a vehicle to avoid accidents, and camera systems that offer a 360-degree view around an automobile’s exterior are sometimes used for commercial vehicles to provide additional safety and security.
Some vehicle camera safety systems integrate with onboard software that alerts drivers to potential threats. This software uses imaging technology that scans and identifies both stationary and moving objects within the camera’s field of view and may even be able to identify objects based on size, shape and distance. If a driver is at risk of backing into an object or if a threat is too close to the sides or front of a vehicle, automatic braking systems may engage to slow a vehicle before an accident occurs.
Lane departure, blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control also factor into the use of camera systems. These technologies allow a driver to maintain control of a vehicle while offering automated assistance in the event that a camera system detects certain conditions. Based on NHTSA data, hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved in the last 60 years thanks to vehicle safety technology innovations.
Onboard And Integrated Emergency Response Services
Seeking help quickly after a crash or other automotive emergency is often the key to improving survival odds, and onboard and integrated emergency response systems have made this easier for drivers and passengers. Onboard emergency response systems work by monitoring vehicle diagnostics. If a crash event is detected, an onboard communications system alerts an operator who can contact the driver directly to inquire about conditions. If a driver is incapacitated or injured, the operator can summon help.
Integrated emergency response systems can also take advantage of smartphone technology. Some systems integrate directly with smart devices to diagnose vehicle problems to alert drivers before an accident occurs. Major operating systems like Android offer these services, but some vehicle manufacturers are creating their own smartphone safety apps that interface with drivers’ smartphones and similar devices.
