Predictive driving with CANopen
Source: CAN Newsletter December 2011
Due to the combination of the Electronic Horizon sub-system and the AFFP pedal, drivers are assisted in anticipating the road ahead and are, therefore, able to drive more fuel efficient
Continental (Germany) has received the ÖkoGlobe 2011 environmental prize in the category “Supplier Innovations”. The ÖkoGlobe is awarded by the DEVK insurance (Germany) and the ACV automobile club (Germany) in cooperation with the ÖkoGlobe Institute at the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany). Due to the combination of the Continental’s Electronic Horizon and accelerator force feedback pedal (AFFP), drivers are assisted in anticipating the road ahead. This allows driving more fuel-efficient. In addition, this combination of hardware and software enhances driving safety as well as comfort. Unseen by the driver, the Electronic Horizon provides a digital preview of the prospective route for the other vehicle systems via the on-board CAN network, with information on both the vehicle (position, direction, speed) and the road ahead (type of road, speed limits and topographical information such as curve radii and gradients). In this way the Electronic Horizon has information available on things a driver cannot yet see around a curve or at the top of an incline. Accordingly, the AFFP uses this information for its advice to the driver. An example is that the pedal can alert the driver in good time to situations that are not even in sight – such as a tailback or a red light around the next bend. In urban motoring, the system can also issue discreet prompts that help the driver catch a series of traffic lights on green.
