Predictive Suspension System

Sensors
Stereo video camera, radar sensors, PMD sensor, GPS receiver, acceleration sensor, position sensors, steering wheel position

Actuators
Shock absorbers or struts that can be extended or,retracted based on electric signal input

Data Communication
High-speed CAN

Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz

The main function of an active suspension system is to control the vertical movement of the wheels with an on- board system to provide a greater level of comfort and safety to the vehicle occupants as well as to maintain long term durability of vehicle’s mechanical and electronic components. An extension to this technology is the predictive suspension system, which scans the
road in front of the vehicle and performs suspension control calculations in advance to improve the ride quality of the vehicle.
The first commercial implementation of a predictive suspension system was introduced in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz S class. Mercedes calls their system
Magic Body Control .
The Magic Body Control system does a road surface scan using a stereo camera positioned just behind the windshield that measures the road up to 15 m in front of
the vehicle with a height measurement accuracy of around 3 mm. It sends the data recorded to the control unit for the suspension where it is evaluated. Together with information on the driving conditions, the control unit continually calculates the best control strategy for
dealing with unevenness in the road. Within a fraction of a second, the active suspension system adjusts to conditions on the road to give the passengers the best ride in terms of comfort and handling. This system works
well under conditions of day light being a camera based system and up to speeds of 80 mph.
Audi is working on a similar predictive suspension system for its cars coupled with the active suspensions where the system can scan irregularities on the road
surfaces up to 20 m ahead with the help of stereo cameras and a PMD (photo mix detector) sensor.

Continental's Pressure sensor-based Pedestrian Protection System

Pressure sensors in the bumper reliably detect accidents involving pedestrians and activate the safety systems in the
vehicle's body.

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, April 9, 2014. The international automotive supplier Continental received the 2014 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers Contribution to Excellence) Award for its Pressure sensor- based Pedestrian Protection System (PPS pSAT). This marks Continental’s third PACE Award win in just two years.
Continental has developed the solution for pedestrian protection – which is in series production since 2011 – together with Daimler. The system helps European
automakers and other manufacturers selling vehicles in Europe to meet the upcoming Euro NCAP standards, which
require enhanced measures to reduce injury in pedestrian collisions. With the United States, Japan and other key
global markets implementing similar requirements, Continental set out to create a cost-effective solution, using
pressure sensors and a flexible tube mounted behind the vehicle’s front fascia. The PPS activates within 10-15 milliseconds of impact by slightly lifting the hood of the vehicle, thereby reducing pedestrian injury through energy absorption and deflection of the impact across the surface.
The PPS pSAT technology is easily installed in a variety of vehicle types thanks to its high flexibility in various front end designs. The PPS pSAT is designed to be resistant to environmental influences including electrostatic discharge, temperature, humidity and stray light. Additionally, the system provides weight and cost reduction compared to other pedestrian protection options currently on the market.

BMW bringing 9 Series concept to Beijing

It appears that BMW is ready to take another step upmarket with a new concept flagship luxury sedan at the Beijing Motor Show at the end of April. The showcar is said to preview the company's rumored 9 Series, a sedan that
would be positioned against top trims of the Mercedes- Benz S-Class, like the rumored S600 Maybach.
According to Automotive News Europe , the concept sedan wears styling language adapted from the curvaceous BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe (pictured above) shown at the 2013 Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance in May. It rides on BMW's new, modular platform ? codenamed G11 ? for the company's largest cars, an architecture also expected to be shared with the next 7 Series and future Rolls-Royce
vehicles. It's rumored to bring the weight of the 7 closer to the 5 Series, which would be several hundred pounds lighter when comparing the base models of both current vehicles. We spotted the next-gen 7 Series testing over a year ago, and both it and the 9 Series are expected to go on
sale in 2016.
Unfortunately, at the moment there is no official information about the concept. "We don't have any official news yet on anything in Beijing," Julian Arguelles, BMW USA spokesperson, tells Autoblog . However, it's heartening to think that BMW might be adapting the gorgeous shape of the Gran Lusso for production.

Protean and SKF team on wheel-motor advances

Protean Electric says its in-wheel motor with micro inverters has a mass of 31 kg (68 lb) and generates 81 kW and 800 N·m—"powerful enough for hybrid, PHEV, or used as the only source of traction drive for EV applications."

In what they term a "strategic partnership," bearing maker SKF will provide "critical components" to Protean Electric for the latter's in-wheel electric drive technology. The five- year agreement also calls for the companies to "look at additional new areas of collaboration for the hybrid and
electric vehicle market." The initial focus of the partnership will be on a custom-designed SKF wheel bearing system with integrated sealing and sensors developed specifically for Protean. The bearing system is engineered to optimize
performance of the in-wheel motor, which operates in a harsh environment. Protean claims its technology offers superior regenerative braking performance energy recovery of up to 85%, among other attributes.