Hella Uses Detroit Motor Show for presenting Innovative Technologies

Hella used the ongoing North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit to showcase its latest technology that will enable automated driving, and facilitate the design of more customized vehicles. Using the tagline “Experience Tomorrow”, Hella used its AutoMobili-D demo vehicle and booth at the Cobo Center in Detroit to present its multifunctional SHAKE (Structural Health and Knock Emission) sensor and innovations in car body lighting design.

Steve Lietaert, President of HELLA Corporate Center USA said that Hella is actively working on development of solutions that can be used to help OEMs manufacture vehicles which offer advanced safety features, superior performance, and offer more leeway for customization.

Lietaert said, “Individualization is one of the top trends we are focusing on to address the technologies needed for future autonomous mobility. Our SHAKE sensor, which goes into serial production this year and offers numerous safety and comfort functions, is an example of one of these technologies.”
The SHAKE sensor builds on the expertise that Hella already has when it comes to camera and radar systems and enhances the ability of vehicles to “see” the environment around them. Now, vehicles can use the SHAKE sensor to “feel” their surroundings as well and this offers immense potential when it comes to autonomous cars. The SHAKE sensor was upgraded to recognize structure-borne sound waves that are generated by contact or knocks on the vehicle body through a piezoelectric foil. The sensor can be used to analyze these sounds so that just by using the SHAKE sensor a smany as three detection functions can be performed.

The SHAKE technology’s three optional functions are:
• Intelligent Damage Detection: This function can be used to detect the extent, time and place of any damage to the vehicle, including scratches, dents and paint damage. This application then records the details of the damage to make things easier for both the owners and mobility companies, who might use autonomous vehicles in car-sharing applications.
• Adaptive Impact Detection: involves the use of two sensors which are located on the front and rear of vehicles, to forestall collisions by detecting the slightest touches of cars or pedestrians to the vehicle’s bumpers at speeds up to approximately 12 mph. These sensors also have the capability to trigger a sensor in order to perform an emergency stop if there is a collision with any obstacles during parking.
• Smart Touch Detection: Drivers can use this technology to increase safety and convenience features with smart touch detection. All they need to do to control certain functions is one touch of their hand.

In addition to sensors, lighting solutions have become increasingly important when it comes the design and safety of autonomous vehicles. Hella has developed new components for exterior lighting like rear combination lamps, headlamps and daytime running lights. The company has also come up with additional performance and styling options for OEMs. On the demonstration vehicle that was used at the Detroit show, visitors to the show could see a wide range of lighting technologies and see how lights could project graphics ground, among other functions.

Hella’s demo vehicle is located in AutoMobili-D’s atrium so that the visitors to the show can experience the SHAKE sensor, new lighting innovations and other advanced lighting and electronic solutions in action.