Accident-avoiding trucks and cars
Drive-by-wire technology was used in the powertrain of both heavy goods vehicles and passenger cars, providing greater efficiency and road safety. The SPARC project developed an intelligent system comprising a software/hardware platform that was placed into demonstration vehicles. Project partners developed an accident-avoiding vehicle using a 'Decision Control System' (DCS) that allows for the possibility of driver becoming incapacitated. The concept was extended to the level of a tractor-trailer type of heavy goods vehicle. The validity of the concept was further proven by applying it to a small passenger car. The vehicles were used to demonstrate the new technology through normal braking, emergency braking, lane detection and operation of the co-driver. Researchers successfully integrated a number of crucial control functions that enabled a greater level of automation of the system, including co-driver assistance, and electromechanical wedge brakes. The work of the SPARC consortium can be used as a basis for other drive-by-wire and fly-by-wire projects. The results will improve citizens' quality of life through safer vehicles and help ensure that Europe becomes a world leader in this area of technology.
