Conti Launches Rear-End Collision Prevention System

On the final day of March an important new product from Continental was given its series production debut – a sensor system designed to prevent rear-end collisions at city driving speeds. Premiering on Volvo’s XC60, Continental calls the new sensor system an “important milestone” for its all-round ContiGuard safety system.

The system monitors the road ahead of the vehicle, and is networked with the braking system. It automatically applies the brakes if there is a risk of a rear-end collision and the driver either fails to react or if his or her reactions are too slow. Continental has developed and supplied both the infrared sensor, which monitors the road ahead and detects objects, and the electronic braking system, both of which are core components of Volvo´s innovative “City Safety” concept.

The risk of rear-end collisions is particularly great in city traffic with its constant alternation between braking and accelerating, comments Conti. According to the company’s statistics, 75 per cent of accidents recorded by the police occur at speeds below 30 km/h. It is precisely at these speeds, in slow-moving or “stop and go” traffic, that this sensor system reduces the risk of a rear-end collision. Fitted level with the car’s interior mirror, the sensor uses three infrared beams to probe the road up to some six metres in front of the vehicle. The sensor picks up vehicles that are stationary or travelling in the same direction. If the gap is less than the distance regarded as critical at the current speed, the system causes the brakes to be applied automatically.

If the maximum speed differential between the vehicles is within 15 km/h, Conti says that a rear-end collision will be avoided in most cases. And, at greater relative speeds, the severity of the impact would be considerably mitigated. At the same time, the City Safety system optimises occupant protection by providing additional data to the airbag control unit and triggering the restraint systems as required.

“This system will prevent numerous accidents and injuries,” said Dr. Ralf Cramer, president of the Chassis & Safety Division. “It is one of the important modules in our comprehensive ContiGuard safety system which is bringing us one step closer to Vision Zero, our vision of road transport without accidents, without serious injuries and without fatalities.”

Even if the braking system does not intervene automatically, Continental’s CV sensor system can assist the XC60 driver. If he or she realises that a rear-end collision is imminent and applies the brakes, the MK25 E1 system will already have built up pressure as a precaution. The brake assist system will respond sooner, depending on how risky the situation is, shortening the stopping distance more effectively than would be possible without the CV sensor’s warning.