chassis systems control driver assistance systems — how ... · on the introduction of the...

Chassis Systems Control Driver assistance systems — How much support do German drivers want?

2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

1,900,000

900,000

50% fatality reduction target

Reduction potential: 5 Mio. fatalities 50 Mio. serious injuries

Glo

bal d

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Do nothing UN “Decade of Action”

More and more people are spending more and more time in their cars. The volume of traffic is increasing – and with it the risk of accidents.

In industrialized countries, the number of traffic fatalities has decreased considerably over the last 30 years. Governments and associations want to continue this trend, and so are supporting the development and provision of systems that improve safety. As an example, the European Union agreed on the introduction of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), also known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), as standard from 2014. In contrast to industrialized countries, safety systems are much less available in the emerging markets and developing countries. However, the volume of traffic is also increasing in these countries, and so the number of accidents and fatalities is growing rapidly.

According to estimates from the United Nations (UN), this means that the number of fatalities worldwide will increase by almost 50% to 1.9 million from 2010 to 2020. In order to coun-teract this trend, the UN launched the “Decade of Action for Road Safety” initiative in 2011, which aims to initially stabilize the number of fatalities by 2020, and then reduce this figure.

The European Union also supports this goal. However, its focus is not only on avoiding fatalities, but also on reducing the number of accidents resulting in serious injuries. This is because, in addition to the approx. 35,000 people who die each year as a result of traffic accidents on Europe’s roads, 1.9 million people are injured.

2 | Chassis Systems Control | Bosch study on driver assistance systems 2012

Why do you need driver assistance?

Possible potential for reducing the number of fatalities worldwide

Driver assistance systems can help to achieve these goals. Around 90% of accidents can be attributed to human error, for example where risks are not detected or situations are not judged correctly and the driver reacts too slowly or incorrectly. One important measure that can be taken to increase traffic safety is therefore to ease the burden on the driver and help the driver to meet the relevant demands.

Using knowledge gained from research into accidents, Bosch has been developing efficient safety and assistance systems for a number of years. Modern driver assistance systems keep the surroundings of the vehicle in sight using radar, video or ultrasound sensors and can therefore inform the driver early on or warn of acute dangerous situations. This means that the driver is supported when driving and can react quickly and safely — before an accident occurs.

Driver assistance systems are valuable compan-ions in everyday driving. From functions that improve all-round vision (Park Assist) or vision at dusk or in the dark (Night Vision, Adaptive High Beam Control), through to Lane Keeping Support, Lane Change Assist, Road Sign Recog-nition, Cruise Control and Automatic Emergency Braking, these systems all significantly improve safety and comfort. The functions cover a wide range of everyday driving situations and support the driver effectively in dangerous situations.

An Automatic Emergency Braking system, for example, could prevent up to 72% of all rear-end collisions involving personal injuries in Germany, if all vehicles were equipped with such a system. Driver assistance systems therefore make an important contribution to the vision of a world in which, in spite of increasing mobility, all road users can be safe while motoring.

Bosch study on driver assistance systems 2012 | Chassis Systems Control | 3

Antilock Braking System (ABS)

Airbag control

Traction Control System (TCS)

Navigation systems

Parking Aid

Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)

Adaptive Cruise Control

Automatic Emergency Braking

The equipping of vehicles with safety and con-venience systems is continuing apace in Europe. Bosch has many years of experience in this area. Back in 1978, it introduced the first Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) to the market. This system supports the driver effectively when braking. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) was introduced by Bosch for the first time in 1995 and forms the basis for many of today’s assistance functions, as it can actively brake the vehicle. Both systems therefore make a major contribution to improving safety on the roads.

The first modern driver assistance systems were available at the end of the 1990s in a few top-range vehicles. These systems have now reached a high level of maturity. In addition, new and highly developed functions keep being added, thereby constantly increasing aware-ness of driver assistance systems. The trend towards more comfort and safety and the increased awareness through performance and benefit eventually aroused the desire to have such functions available in the lower vehicle segments as well.


Driver assistance in the market

1978 1980 1986 1989 1993 1995 2000 2010

Driver assistance systems have arrived in the mass market. The majority of vehicle manufac-turers offer selected functions, depending on the model, as options or even as standard, also in the smaller classes. Thanks to increasing sales quantities, this democratization of the systems enables interesting safety packages and affordable prices to be offered to drivers of small and medium-class cars too. Ultimately, due to the increasing rate at which driver assis-tance systems are being installed, traffic safety levels are also expected to increase.

In addition to the consumers themselves, consumer protection organizations have also recognized the benefits of driver assistance systems. For this reason, from 2013, these systems will also be included in the test cata-log of the consumer protection organization Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program), which is used to test and evaluate the safety of a new car using a 5-star rating system. In future, vehicle manufacturers will only be able to receive the full number of Euro NCAP stars and therefore the quality seal for the highest level of safety for their new cars if they offer a minimum level of driver assistance systems as standard.


Bosch has carried out a representative study into buyers of new cars in Germany, France and Italy in order to obtain current information about everyday driving, the level of awareness and the importance of modern driver assis-tance systems and to gain a first insight into the attitude toward automated driving. The study was carried out in the period from June to October 2012 and includes the results from 2,261 online questionnaires and 120 individual in-depth interviews.

Gender 65.5% male, 34.5% female

Age 76% over 40 years old

Frequency of vehicle use > 90% of those surveyed use their vehicle every day or several times a week

Mileage Majority between 10,000 and 40,000 km per annum (6,000 to 25,000 miles per annum)

Year of manufacture of the 2009 to 2012 new vehicle

Vehicle segments Small, compact and medium class cars, as well as mini and compact vans

The vehicle segments selected for the study, comprising the small, compact and medium class, as well as mini and compact vans, give an insight into the part of the market in which driver assistance systems are not yet as widely used. However, they make up the majority of new registrations each year. The people sur-veyed were those who made the decisions when buying the new car and whose vehicles were no more than three years old.

The results from Germany are shown on the following pages. Here, the above-mentioned segments make up almost 75% of the new vehicle registrations each year.


Research and study design

Profile of the German respondents and their vehicles

Over 70% of the German new car buyers said that they enjoy driving and can also manage to drive an unfamiliar vehicle without any prob-lems. Only a very small proportion (8%) say they are easily distracted and around 16% find driving stressful. This positive attitude to driv-ing is particularly common among drivers of medium-class vehicles. In comparison to the other four segments, these drivers enjoy driving the most (79%) and find it the easiest to drive an unfamiliar vehicle (82%). Responses from mini van drivers, on the other hand, indicate that they are the least distracted (5%).

This self-assessment gives a picture of relaxed, always oberservant and only little stressed car drivers who can manage hire cars, for example, without any major problems. However, this self-assessment contradicts information on the ac-cidents that occur, as driver fault is the cause of more than 90% of accidents on Germany’s roads.


Attitude towards driving — Drivers enjoy driving and are observant

I am easily distracted when driving.

Driving is a necessary evil for me.

Driving can also cause me stress.

I really enjoy driving.

I find it easy to drive an unfamiliar vehicle.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%Applies Applies completely

6

3

510

13

34

36

38

37

2

To what extent do you agree with the following statements?

In spite of a positive general attitude to driving itself, lots of situations arise on the road every day that cause stress for the driver. At almost 50%, Germans consider sudden braking ma-neuvers to be the most stressful, followed by passing through narrow highway construction sites (42%) and slow stop-and-go traffic (41%). Looking for somewhere to park and evasive maneuvers are also everyday events that cause stress and reduce driving pleasure for more than 35%.

It is interesting to note that the stress in these situations increases when the vehicle class is smaller. The biggest difference is with braking maneuvers and when passing through highway construction sites: In the former, 57% of drivers of small vehicles but only 32% of drivers of medium-class vehicles say that they find this stressful or very stressful. It is similar with stress levels at highway construction sites, where there are still 16 percentage points be-tween small vehicles (46%) and the medium class (30%).


Relaxed on the road? Far from it!Everyday situations are stressful

Evasive maneuvers

Looking for somewhere to park

Slow driving in a traffic jam (stop-and-go traffic)

Passing through narrow construction sites on the highway

Sudden braking maneuvers

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%StressfulStressful/Very stressful

Very stressful

28

27

27

30

8

11

14

12

33

32 Medium class57 Small vehicles

13





How stressful do you find the following situations when driving?

Unsure in a critical situation as to whether it would be better to brake or perform an evasive maneuver

Overlooking a car coming from behind when changing lane (blind spot)

Emergency stop due to an unexpected obstruction

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%Once More than once

23

34

34

12

13

31

Alongside stress in everyday driving, critical driving experiences also do not appear to be a rare occurrence: Around two thirds of the respondents said that they had to perform an emergency stop once or more than once during the last 12 months due to an unexpected obstruction. This means that the critical ex perience of an emergency stop is one that occurs by far the most frequently and is therefore very much on car drivers’ minds.

But changing lanes with the risk that you may overlook vehicles in other lanes due to the blind spot has also been experienced by almost half of the respondents once or more than once over the last year. Likewise, one third of the re-spondents was once or more than once unsure during this period as to what would have been the better alternative reaction in a critical driving situation: take evasive action or brake. A difficult decision for normal drivers, and one that can cost valuable time in a critical situa-tion.

The results show that, in spite of the positive general attitude to driving and in spite of driv-ers’ confidence in their own capabilities, there are often or even regularly situations in which the respondents feel they are stressed or too much is expected of them. In this regard, what do Germans think of driver assistance systems that can support and relieve the burden on drivers?


Everyday driving — Critical driving situations are not unknown

Have you been in one of the following situations in the last 12 months?

Road Sign Recognition

Hill Hold Control

Driver Drowsiness Detection

(Adaptive) High Beam Control

Lane Change Assist/Blind Spot Detection

Emergency Braking Assist with Driver Warning and Brake Support

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Lane Keeping Support

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC, distronic…)

(Adaptive) bend lighting

Park Assist (steers into a parking space)

Distance warning system

Automatic lights (lights on/off automatically)

Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)

Automatic windscreen wiper with rain sensor

Parking Aid (warning signal)

Cruise Control

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%I do not have it, but I am aware of itI have it

735

4

5425

9

27

12

28

75

8

18

55

54

51

6418

11

16

81

53

72

67

58

76

80

61

83

74

39

38

45

12

43

Driver assistance is not a foreign word for Ger-mans. This is the case for drivers of different vehicle classes, for men and women as well as for all ages. All the systems specified are known by a large majority of at least 78%. The survey showed that, in comparison with the latest assistance systems, drivers are more aware of the systems that have been on the market for longer, and these systems are fitted in a larger

number of vehicles. For example, almost all drivers are familiar with Cruise Control and ESP® and often have these systems installed in their own vehicles. In contrast, a lot of people are already familiar with Driver Drowsiness Detection or Road Sign Recognition, for exam-ple, but only a small number of Germans have these systems fitted in their own car.


Have you already heard of it? High level of awareness of driver assistance

Does your car have one of the following driver assistance systems, or are you are aware of it?

A high level of awareness is also shown in the features attributed to driver assistance systems, which is a pleasing result. After a brief presentation of the systems, almost 75% said that they increase the safety of the vehicle, with over 60% saying that driver assistance systems increase driving comfort and relax the driver.

Driver assistance systems can offer more com-fort and safety when performing simple driving tasks as well. Almost half of the respondents agreed that these systems can take over driving for the driver, for example when in a traffic jam on the highway.

The fast drivers in particular seemed more willing to allow themselves to be assisted here, compared with those who stated that they tend to drive slowly. While 71% of fast drivers agreed that driver assistance increases safety, only 61% of slow drivers said this. The same applies for comfort (62% vs. 48%). Only 18% evaluated driver assistance as “nice to have” equipment in the car, which you could manage without.


Positive image — Driver assistance increases safety and comfort

... is just unnecessary technology that you do not need.

... leads to you forgetting how to drive and no longer reacting correctly in difficult situations.

... can take over simple driving tasks for me, such as driving in a traffic jam on the highway.

… increases driving comfort and relaxes the driver.

... can increase the safety in the car.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%Agree Completely agree

11

26

31

39

40

7

18

14

22

33

To what extent do you agree with the following statements? A driver assistance system...

The level of awareness and the positive general attitude to driver assistance systems is also reflected in the interest shown in the functions presented in the study: All the functions pre-sented were of interest for at least 40% and up to almost 80% of Germans. The greatest interest was generated by Blind Spot Detection and the range of emergency braking functions, followed by Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Evasive Steering Support. This interest was distributed equally amongst small, compact, medium-class car and van drivers, as well as amongst men and women.

In contrast, age, driving style and user behavior appeared to have a greater influence on the level of interest. While Traffic Jam Assist was of less interest for those over 60 years old (49%), it is a different picture for those under 30 years old. The function generated great interest in this age range with 75%. It is a similar situation with Lane Keeping Support, which is more pop-ular among people who drive on highways than among those who mainly drive in town (67% vs. 56%). The same applies for ACC Stop & Go, with 72% of drivers who mainly drive on high-ways and 63% of drivers who tend to drive more in town showing an interest in the function.


Helpful in your everyday life? Great interest in many different functions

In general, the respondents are fairly reluctant when asked to reach deeper into their wallets for the functions. However, if they had to pay an additional cost, then the respondents showed the greatest willingness to pay for the ACC range, for Evasive Steering Support and for emergency braking functions.


Intersection Assist (turning left)

Construction Zone Assist

Road Sign Recognition with speed control

Parking Maneuver Assist

Traffic Jam Assist


ACC Stop & Go

High Beam Control

ACC

Evasive Steering Support

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Automatic Emergency Braking (< 50 km/h [31 mph])

Automatic Emergency Braking pedestrian

Automatic Emergency Braking (> 50 km/h [31 mph])

Blind Spot Detection

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

38 2

44 4

5

43 7

7

11

11

43 14

16

14

17

20

46 12

12

12

57

52

57

54

51

60

60

62

59

67

In which of the following 15 systems are you personally interested?

All the function descriptions can be found on pages 16 to 19.

Yes, I am interested, at no extra costYes, I am interested, at an extra cost

If those surveyed now have to make a concrete decision about the most important of all the functions that are of interest to them, then the following picture emerges: With 12.4%, emer-gency braking for the protection of pedestrians is the most important function to respondents in comparison with all the others. This is fol-lowed by Automatic Emergency Braking at high-er speeds, the assistant for the detection of ve-hicles in the blind spot, Evasive Steering Support and Automatic Emergency Braking at lower speeds. These statements correlate well

with the critical driving situations experienced over the last 12 months and hence appear to best meet the needs of German drivers. There are no major differences to be found in the ranking according to vehicle class or age, gender, driving style or user behavior. This can be explained by the fact that the German small to medium-class car drivers travel about the same amount on highways, regional roads and in town, and therefore experience the same everyday situations in road traffic.


Spoilt for choice — The most important functions for German drivers

Intersection Assist (turning left)

Method: MaxDiffAll the function descriptions can be found on pages 16 to 19.

Road Sign Recognition with speed control

Construction Zone Assist

Parking Maneuver Assist

High Beam Control

Traffic Jam Assist

Rear Cross Traffic Alert


ACC Stop & Go

ACC

Automatic Emergency Braking (< 50 km/h [31 mph])

Evasive Steering Support

Blind Spot Detection

Automatic Emergency Braking (> 50 km/h [31 mph])

Automatic Emergency Braking pedestrian

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14%

.

2.7

3.2

3.2

3.8

4.5

5.1

5.4

5.5

7.5

7.8

7.9

8.4

10.8

11.9

12.4

Which of the following systems is the most important to you?

The outlook for automated driving reveals a promising picture. Only 14% of the respondents believe that it is not feasible from a technical point of view. According to more than half of the respondents, driver assistance systems are building a bridge to the future of automated driving. 48% even believe that automated driv-ing will be the way we drive cars in the future. 40% of the Germans are already of the opinion that driving will become safer as a result of automated driving.

In spite of all this, it is important to more than 50% of the respondents that they continue to operate the car themselves and that the automatic system can be deactivated at any time.

These views do not differ according to the different segments or gender. The only differ-ence is in the case of age. More than half of those under 30 years old agree that automated driving is the future — while amongst the over 60 year olds, only 40% are of this opinion.


The way ahead —Automated driving

… is not possible from a technical point of view.

… is something I can only imagine on highways.

… is not for me; I would never drive a car like that.

... makes driving safer.

... is the way we will drive cars in the future.

… is good, if I am able to turn it off at any time.

… is a logical further development of driver assistance systems.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%Agree Completely agree

9

20

11

25

29

28

37

9

18

15

24

19

19

5

To what extent do you agree with the following statements? Automated driving…

Road Sign Recognition with speed controlThis system shows you the applicable permitted speed and overtaking restrictions in the display. If you are driving too fast, your vehicle will be braked according to the tolerances you have specified. You can switch the system off at any time.

Lane Keeping SupportIf you should be distracted or are not concentrating and would leave the lane unintentionally, the system can keep you steady in the lane by means of gentle steering interventions. You can switch the system off at any time.

Construction Zone AssistThis system guides you through construction sites and narrow roads. It warns you before traveling through narrow points, for examp-le, before you overtake in a critical situation in the construction site area.


Overview — Driver assistance systems

On the following pages you will find information about the functions presented in the study.

Blind Spot DetectionThe system looks to the side and behind when driving. If there is a vehicle in the blind spot, a lamp lights up on the exterior rear-view mirror, for example.

Evasive Steering SupportIf, when a rear-end collision is likely to occur, even applying the brakes fully will no longer be able to prevent an accident, then this system comes into play. It independently checks the available space in the lane to the left and/or to the right and automatically steers your vehicle into the lane that is free.

Rear Cross Traffic AlertThis system monitors the road to the right and left for you when reversing out of a parking space. If there is likely to be a collision with an approaching vehicle, you will be warned and your vehicle will be braked.

High Beam ControlThis system detects oncoming traffic and vehicles ahead and automatically switches from high beam to low beam. Once the road is empty again, high beam is switched back on.


Automatic Emergency Braking at higher speedsIf you should be distracted at a speed above 50 km/h (31 mph) and there is the possibil-ity of a rear-end collision with a vehicle, the system gives you an early warning. If you then do not brake sufficiently, the system provides the missing brake pressure. If you do not re-act at all, the system brakes automatically.

Automatic Emergency Braking for pedestriansIf a pedestrian should run out in front of your car unexpectedly and you do not react, the system will warn you and assist you when braking. If you react too late, the system will try to avoid the collision or reduce the severity of the accident by means of automatic emergency braking.

Automatic Emergency Braking at low speedsAt low speeds, for example when in town, the system can prevent rear-end collisions by means of automatic braking.

Parking Maneuver AssistThe system detects available parking spaces of a suitable size (lengthwise, cross-wise, diagonal). It automatically parks the vehicle in the parking space, following driver approval, using independent braking and steering. This system also works in a garage or on your parking space at home.


Overview — Driver assistance systems

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)You set your desired speed and your vehicle follows the car in front with automatic accelerating and braking. In so doing, it maintains the safety distance set by you.

ACC Stop & GoIn traffic congestion, your car brakes to a standstill and then drives off again auto-matically. You set the permitted speed and your vehicle follows the car in front with automatic accelerating and braking.

Traffic Jam Assist at up to 60 km/h (37 mph)In a traffic jam or in traffic congestion below 60 km/h, you can hand over braking, accel-erating and steering to the system. Once the congestion eases and the traffic starts moving again, the system hands back to you. You can override or switch off the system at any time.


Intersection AssistThe system assists you when turning left. It continuously monitors the oncoming traffic and warns you of any impending collisions. If you do not react in time, the system can avoid an accident by means of automatic braking.

Robert Bosch GmbHChassis Systems Control

Postfach 13 5574003 HeilbronnGermany

www.bosch-automotivetechnology.com

Printed in Germany© 2013 Robert Bosch GmbH

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