Autoliv: Torricelli Brake Reduces Stopping Distance by up to 40%
June 11 2015 - 6:19AM
Business Wire
- Autoliv showcases future safety solution for urban
environments
Regulatory News:
Autoliv AB (NYSE:ALV) (STO:ALIVSDB), is showcasing a totally new
vacuum braking system – the Torricelli brake – developed for
significantly reducing stopping distance for Autonomous Emergency
Braking (AEB). Autoliv states the innovation could revolutionize
traffic safety in urban environments.
Tests have proven the so-called Torricelli brake – a vacuum
induced plate below a vehicle which sucks down into the track
during emergency braking situation – decreases braking distances
with ~40 % in speeds up to 70 kph.
The technology, developed at Autoliv’s research plant in
Vårgårda, Sweden., is named after 17th century Italian physicist
Evangelista Torricelli, known for clinically accounting the vacuum
and for inventing the barometer.
Many car accidents are caused by late braking with insufficient
force. A driver may brake too late for several reasons: He or she
is distracted or inattentive; visibility is poor or a pedestrian
crosses the street without paying attention. Therefore, several car
manufacturers today offer Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
systems. Autoliv’s revolutionary Torricelli Brake will radically
enhance the efficiency of AEB systems by dramatically reducing the
braking distances.
Technically, the Torricelli brake is connected to the automatic
breaking system, which in turn is rigged to detect hazards ahead.
The patented solution uses a 0.3 m2 vacuum plate below the vehicle
that activates in merely 0.1 sec and produces a downforce of
15 000 N – independently from the tire-to-track friction.
This reduces stopping distances with up to ~40% on wet and dry
asphalt, as well as ice surfaces.
Autoliv has put a maximum speed limit for activating the system
at 70 kph, due to the effectiveness and force of the system. This
in turn means that the Torricelli brake will mainly be applicable
in urban environments, where for instance inattentive children and
cyclists could be avoided.
“Even if there are several steps ahead before the Torricelli
brake can be put into full-scale production, this is undoubtedly an
example of how future innovations can revolutionize traffic safety
and save more lives, in particular in urban environments,” says Ola
Bostr�m, head of Autoliv Research.
“The main hindrance for car manufacturer implementation of the
Torricelli brake is simply that it is too efficient. In order to
complement existing safety equipment, other safety details such as
belt tighteners also need to be updated – due to the major braking
force of the Torricelli brake system”, add Ola.
“I don´t want to speculate on whether the industry is ready to
embrace the Torricelli brake, but so far we have showcased the
system for a small number of manufacturers and we have gained
substantial interest with this latest innovation. A reason pointing
towards a short term, rather than long term, industry adaption is
that car manufacturers today increasingly compete and gain market
share based on the qualities of their safety systems,” Ola
finishes.
About Autoliv
Autoliv, Inc., the worldwide leader in automotive safety
systems, develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for
all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its
joint ventures, Autoliv has more than 80 facilities with more than
60,000 employees in 28 countries. In addition, the Company has ten
technical centers in nine countries around the world, with 21 test
tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier.Sales in
2014 amounted to US $9.2 billion. The Company's shares are listed
on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and its Swedish
Depository Receipts on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm (ALIV
sdb). For more information about Autoliv, please visit our company
website at www.autoliv.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This report contains statements that are not historical facts
but rather forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements include those that address activities,
events or developments that Autoliv, Inc. or its management
believes or anticipates may occur in the future. All
forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations,
various assumptions and data available from third parties. Our
expectations and assumptions are expressed in good faith and we
believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be
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or prove to be correct as forward-looking statements are inherently
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause actual future results, performance or achievements
to differ materially from the future results, performance or
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statements. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors may
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forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements in light
of new information or future events. For any forward-looking
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protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements
contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
and we assume no obligation to update any such statement.
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AutolivThomas J�nsson,Group Vice President CommunicationsTel +46
(0)8 58 72 06 27orOla Bostr�m,Senior Director Autoliv Research.Tel
+46 (0)733 61 43 42
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