Mobile productivity headlines Delphi's CES offerings

Delphi's Mobile Productivity Center (MPC) synchronizes Ericsson cellular telephones with Palm PDAs to allow access to personal data and the ability to make hands-free phone calls.

At the 2001 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, Delphi Automotive Systems announced that it will introduce ten mobile multimedia products and technologies in 2001. "Last year at the show (CES), we talked about booking $2.5 billion in mobile multimedia business. This year, we are delivering those products and technologies to OEM and retail customers," said Dave Wohleen, President of Delphi Delco Electronics and Executive Vice President of Delphi Automotive Systems. For 2000, the company's Mobile Multimedia business unit increased annual revenue 700% to more than $300 million. The business unit develops and manufactures products in four broad product categories: smart radios, advanced audio systems, telematics, and rear-seat entertainment. Among the 2001 introductions are what it terms "productivity" products: the Communiport Mobile Productivity Center (MPC) for passenger cars and the Truck Productivity Center for heavy-duty trucks.

The MPC technology, named one of the most innovative products at the CES, is available to consumers through Delphi's Internet site for a retail price of $499. The electronic device is designed to help consumers stay organized and connected in their vehicles. The first model in the MPC lineup, called Communiport MPCpro, synchronizes R280 or 1228 Ericsson phones and a Palm V or Vx handheld computer and then allows drivers to access the data and make hands-free phone calls through voice commands and text-to-speech software. Delphi began delivering the MPCpro in January, said Jeff Owens, Delphi Delco Electronics Systems General Director of Business Lines, Marketing and Portfolio.

Freightliner trucks will soon have the option of Delphi-supplied Truck Productivity Computers.

The MPC uses a low-power FM transmitter so audio can be heard through an available FM channel on the vehicle's audio system. The text-to-speech capabilities allow the MPC to read information from the Palm's "To Do" list, retrieve telephone numbers from the unit's address book, and dial them automatically via voice command prompts. The date book, memo pad, and other Palm functions are also operated via voice commands.

Delphi will also provide Truck Productivity Computer hardware to Freightliner for its truck range. Helping heavy-duty trucking companies better manage their fleets, the computer system connects the truck data bus to a fleet management center to manage vehicle position, heading, and diagnostics. It also provides navigation, integrated cell phone, and electronic mail capabilities.

- Kevin Jost

Bosch optimizes airbag ECU

Bosch has developed an airbag control unit with extended functional range for highly precise triggering of airbags and belt tensioners. According to the company, the system detects the impact speed of a frontal collision at a very early stage with the help of two "upfront" sensors. The central crash sensor's information ensures good decision precision. Depending on the type of accident, the occupant restraint systems can be triggered either in one or two phases.

Bosch's optimized airbag control system. Click to enlarge

With today's centralized sensing, reliable accident information on the impact speed is available about 50 ms after a crash. Before that, the signal "course" of a slow frontal impact against a solid obstacle differs only slightly from that of a severe frontal impact with an approaching vehicle.

The new system has two acceleration sensors integrated into a vehicle's deformation zone. These upfront sensors transmit signals, from which the electronic control unit calculates early and precisely the energy absorption as well as the velocity of vehicle deformation. After only about 15 ms, it is clearly recognizable whether it will be a minor crash without actuation of the airbag or a critical crash with triggering of the necessary passive safety systems.

A side impact is detected by means of four side-impact sensors, the signals of which are checked for plausibility against those of the central sensor in the airbag ECU. This concept guarantees early triggering of the side airbag for optimum protection of head and chest in a lateral collision.

- Kevin Jost