Kiekert Announces Development of Autonomous Vehicle Door Locking Systems

Kiekert, a company that specializes in the design and manufacture of automotive locking systems has unveiled its “autonomous door” concept. According to the company, this concept comprises a combination of its latest technologies and innovations, like its NuEntry electric door latch, i-protect, and i-move.

These technological advances are likely to be used in the future to intelligently allow access into vehicles, and minimize unnecessary dents and scratches on vehicle doors, as well as to completely prevent injuries to pedestrians and damage to other vehicles.

The NuEntry-Latch eliminates the need for a door handle, and makes the locking systems lighter and simpler while improving door design. The system facilitates use of the latest technologies, like smartphones and outdoor touch sensors and it has a modular full mechanical redundancy (TCR), which allows the latch to function even when power fails.

The i-protect prototype uses a high-tech sensor system for environmental identification and a door brake system for the detection of obstacles that might be close to the door. The door brake system can, within an accuracy of one centimeter, electromechanically stop the car door in front of an obstacle if needed. This will help avoid dings and dents caused by trying to get out of the vehicle in narrow parking spaces.

Kiekert’s i-move “intelligent movement” system is meant to provide a comfortable, automatically driven opening and closing action for the car door, just like the automated opening and closing of rear hatches. The car door can be opened by just pressing a button in the vehicle.