| General
description |
Mobileye, an original equipment supplier
of crash-avoidance systems, has entered into the automotive aftermarket
with a series of safety products. The new aftermarket line, called
AWS — short for Advanced Warning System — offers a
suite of accident-avoidance applications based on Mobileye's camera-
and software-based technology.
The base unit, the Mobileye FCW (Forward Crash Warning), will retail
for about $600 and provide a warning system for drivers who may be
distracted in stop-and-go and congested traffic.
Mobileye has several more systems on the market, with the $1,500
AWS-4000 at the top of the range. In addition to forward crash protection,
the AWS-4000 also signals lane departures and can help drivers maintain
a safe following distance. In addition, the high-end 4000 also incorporates
a data recording system that registers non-emergency events such
as illegal lane changes or keeping unsafe headway. The data recorder
then interprets the driving habits and can become a tool for driver
behavior monitoring, which can be useful for driver assessment, training,
and skills improvement. This function makes it an interesting tool
for parents wanting to monitor their teen's driving habit or fleet
operators to manage their drivers.
In the event of an accident, the high-end Mobileye can capture a
video clip of the accident (20 seconds before and 10 seconds after)
on flash memory when it's triggered by a G-force sensor.
Mobileye says that they hope to expand their aftermarket offerings
next year by providing systems for blind-spot and backup warnings
to their list of products. These systems can provide some of the
same benefits from the safety systems on today's luxury sedans to
any vehicle. In fact, Mobileye works with automakers and has provided
technology to Volvo for several safety systems on the S80.
We have not tested Mobileye aftermarket products, but are intrigued
by their promised benefits.
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