DENSO’s “Talking Car” Technology Units Used in USDOT/UMTRI’s Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot

A world where cars talk with other cars and traffic signals is literally right around the corner. Today, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), in collaboration with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) kicked off a year-long Safety Pilot Model Deployment test vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology in Ann Arbor, Mich. And DENSO International America, Inc. (DIAM) is part of the action as one of the suppliers providing the “talking car” technology.

DENSO’s Role in the Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot DIAM is providing two types of dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) devices, which are the devices that allow vehicles to communicate or “talk” with other equipped vehicles and infrastructure. DENSO’s two DSRC devices being tested are 1) An integrated original equipment device used on light vehicles, and 2) An aftermarket retrofit device equipped on light vehicles, heavy trucks and buses.

DENSO has been working on Connected Vehicle, or what we call V2X technology since 2003, and one of our main focuses is on DSRC devices. The DSRC’s primary function is to assess the surrounding environment based on accurate and precise data exchanges with other vehicle DSRC transceivers and roadside hotspots. The data exchanges include a vehicle’s location, velocity, acceleration and path history, which can enable on board computers to predict trajectories and reduce the likelihood of collisions. That same data, along with additional information from the traffic signal, can also help drivers avoid running red lights and prevent crashes at controlled intersections (roadside hotspots).

USDOT Model Deployment
According to the USDOT, nearly 3,000 cars, trucks and buses equipped with “connected” Wi-Fi technology will enable vehicles and infrastructure to “talk” to each other in real time to help avoid crashes and improve traffic flow. This is the USDOT’s second phase of the Connected Vehicle Safety pilot and, to date, is the largest road test of connected vehicle crash avoidance technology.

DENSO believes V2X has the potential to revolutionize safety and convenience on our nation’s roads. We anticipate deployment of Connected Vehicle technology in the U.S. in the next few years.

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electric, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include all the world’s major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 35 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs more than 120,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, totaled US$38.4 billion. Last fiscal year, DENSO spent 9.5 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com, or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com.

In North America, DENSO employs more than 14,000 people with consolidated sales totaling US$6.2 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.

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Reader’s Note: About Connected Vehicle Technology (V2X) Benefits

Crash Prevention
DENSO’s DSRC device gives the vehicle a 360 degree awareness of its surroundings. This can help predict hazardous situations and alert drivers to take precautions and avoid crashes.

Easing Congestion & Improving Fuel Efficiency Connected Vehicle technology can also support enhanced mobility and environmental responsibility. This same DSRC technology can provide advisories to in-vehicle systems on the timing of traffic signals to optimize efficient, fuel and time-saving driving habits, while also minimizing engine emissions through reduced idle times.

Web Site: http://www.globaldenso.com