ZF Vision Zero headed in the right direction

ZF has unveiled its Vision Zero concept car to demonstrate its commitment to autonomous motoring technology in the future.

The German transmission specialist has developed two new semi-autonomous facilities to improve road safety: 'Driver Distraction Assist' and 'Wrong-way Inhibit'. Both are installed in the Vision Zero.

The company quotes road safety research by Allianz Zentrum für Technik that distracted drivers account for 10 per cent of road fatalities. Last year, 350 road users lost their lives in Germany, due to distraction – 94 more than drink driving.

In the US, research indicates nearly 3500 road fatalities in 2015 could be traced back to distraction, and a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute estimates that drivers are distracted from the job of driving as much as 52 per cent of the time.

"Driver Distraction Assist can help recognise lack of attention, warn the driver and, if necessary, take control until a potential danger has passed," says Dr Harald Naunheimer, head of Research and Development at ZF.

The technology relies on a laser camera with learning capability to monitor the driver's head in three dimensions. At the first sign of danger, the system posts an optical warning in the instrument display and sounds an alarm. It also tightens the seatbelt and, if the driver neglects to take avoiding action, the car will steer itself around the problem, also reducing engine output if necessary. Ultimately, the system will throttle back and bring the car to a complete halt, in a safe spot.

That's the theory, at least.

ZF states that 'Wrong-way Inhibit' is a stepping stone along the path to full autonomy. Like Driver Distraction Assist, there's plenty of research to support the need for the technology, such as a report from the American National Transport Safety Board. On average, according to the report, 360 people die each year, due to drivers taking the wrong direction on major roads.

"With Wrong-way Inhibit we want to help put an end to tragic accidents caused by wrong-way driving," says Dr Naunheimer.

A forward-looking camera system reads traffic signs and road markings, correlated with highly accurate map data to determine whether the car is entering a road from the wrong direction. Three means of raising the alarm with the driver are an audible alert, an optical signal in the instrument display and seatbelt vibration. The car also imposes resistance through the steering wheel to convey the message to the driver that the car does not want to taking that particular route.

If the driver persists in the taking the wrong way, the car will steer to the outside shoulder of the road, slow to walking speed and finally stop altogether. Additionally, the system sets the headlights on high beam and triggers the hazard warning lights to alert on-coming drivers of the problem.

Finally, the system essentially takes full control of the car, only allowing the driver the options of turning around (given sufficient space to do so) or reversing out of trouble.

While the Vision Zero began life as a Volkswagen Touran people mover, it's now driven by a rear-mounted electric powertrain for zero emissions. Cradled within ZF's modular semi-trailing arm rear suspension, the motor produces 150kW and requires little space in the suspension module, which demonstrates ZF's capacity to supply buy-in drivetrain components and other running gear beyond the automatic transmissions for which the company is better known.

"With our all-electric Vision Zero Vehicle and its innovative safety systems, we've achieved key advances that point to the future," says ZF CEO Dr Stefan Sommer. "Especially for the transition from assisted to autonomous driving, we strive for advanced and integrated safety systems to help keep drivers and passengers safe."