Integrated chassis control network available in New Opel Astra
The optional IDSPlus (Interactive Driving System) adaptive chassis system will be avalaible on the third generation Opel Astra. This system enhances suspension performance with an optimum balance of driving comfort and active safety. Opel´s new compact is the first car in its segment with an integrated chassis control network. In addition to ABS and ESP, the network also includes CDC (Continuous Damping Control).
A button selects sport suspension settings, adapts the steering and accelerator response and, with automatic and Easytronic transmissions, adjusts the shift points higher up the rpm range.
The CDC-system comprises four hydraulic shock absorbers, that continuously adapt to the vehicle condition, the road surface and the driving style. The goal is to keep the body calm by permanently minimizing its rolling, dipping or vertical movements. Together with a lateral acceleration sensor and additional data from the CANBUS (e.g. brake and vehicle-speed signals), three body and two wheel acceleration sensors deliver the information to the electronic control unit.
Using a map, this calculates in real time the necessary damping force for each wheel and sends the corresponding electrical signal to the four proportional solenoid valves, which control the oil flow and the damping characteristic of each damper. Each wheel receives in milliseconds the optimum damping force, thus improving the handling and increasing active safety.
DENSO and TOSHIBA Jointly Develop World's First Multi OS Environment for Car Navigation Systems
Tokyo and Kariya City, Japan-Toshiba Corporation and DENSO Corporation, a leading supplier of advanced automotive systems, such as car navigation systems, today announced joint development of world's first multi OS (operating system) environment (software) for car navigation systems. The multi OS environment provides single-chip support for both µITRON, the operating system for embedded devices, and Microsoft® Windows® Automotive. It also enables to use advanced automotive systems, provided byµITRON and multi-media applications such as internet, provided by Microsoft® Windows® Automotive concurrently.
The multi OS environment can be applied to the NAVIEM system which is used for DENSO's car navigation systems. NAVIEM features Toshiba's TX49 embedded CPU.
Demonstration boards of multi-OS-based TX49 processor and DENSO's car navigation system will be featured at the Tron Show 2004 from December 11-13, 2003 at the Tokyo International Forum in Japan.
Phonetic Database for navigation system - Babel Technologies and Navtech
MONS, BELGIUM - Babel Technologies S.A., a speech and language technology supplier, has today announced that it has been appointed by Navigation Technologies, a provider of digital map information, to create specific name phonemes for the NAVTECH Phonetic Database. The specifically phonetized database phonemes enable more robust directional instructions and pronunciation of place names, thereby reducing driver error and leading to increased driver comfort and convenience.
John MacLeod, EVP, Global Marketing & Strategy, Navigation Technologies, said: "Many of today's navigation systems use generic, audible directions like "turn right" or "stay to the left." With the integration of voice transcriptions into NAVTECH data, you will receive the correct pronunciation of specific spoken directions like "turn left onto Avenue des Champs-Élysées" ".
www.babeltech.com www.navtech.com
Valeo develops air conditioning solution during Valeo "Start-Stop" engine operation
The new system called "Stop-Stay-Cool" is designed to keep air conditioning going in cars equipped with the latest generation of Valeo's starter-alternators which have a "Start-Stop" vehicle function.
The Stop-Stay-Cool system complements the Start-Stop function on Valeo's belt-driven starter-alternator which generates electricity when the engine is running and starts the engine when required, eliminating the need for a starter motor. The "Start-Stop" function of the Valeo Starter- Alternator automatically turns off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete halt, for example at traffic lights, and restarts it when the driver engages a gear or in the case of an automatic transmission, moves his or her foot off the brake.
The Stop-Stay-Cool innovation complements Start-Stop by providing cool air to the ventilation system, even when the engine is stopped, without requiring additional battery power. The system works like a fan passing air over a block of ice. Engineers at the Climate Control Branch have developed the use of a cost effective material which has ideal thermal characteristics for automotive evaporators. This allows the new evaporator to store cold energy during normal engine operation and to release it to the ventilation system when the AC compressor is cut off at engine standstill.
"The adoption of our new starter-alternator technology by carmakers raised a related technical challenge," said Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman & Chief Executive Officer.
The optional IDSPlus (Interactive Driving System) adaptive chassis system will be avalaible on the third generation Opel Astra. This system enhances suspension performance with an optimum balance of driving comfort and active safety. Opel´s new compact is the first car in its segment with an integrated chassis control network. In addition to ABS and ESP, the network also includes CDC (Continuous Damping Control).
The new system called "Stop-Stay-Cool" is designed to keep air conditioning going in cars equipped with the latest generation of Valeo's starter-alternators which have a "Start-Stop" vehicle function.
The Stop-Stay-Cool system complements the Start-Stop function on Valeo's belt-driven starter-alternator which generates electricity when the engine is running and starts the engine when required, eliminating the need for a starter motor. The "Start-Stop" function of the Valeo Starter- Alternator automatically turns off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete halt, for example at traffic lights, and restarts it when the driver engages a gear or in the case of an automatic transmission, moves his or her foot off the brake.