There are more than 200,000 forward collision warning and mitigation systems from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems on the road, with each generation of the technology more powerful and effective than the last. Launched in 2015, the flagship system, Bendix Wingman Fusion accounts for a rapidly growing share of Bendix’s collision mitigation market, thanks in large part to its deep integration of both camera and radar sensors.
“Over the past 5 years, adoption of Bendix collision mitigation systems has more than tripled, and the rate of Fusion adoption is significantly ahead of where earlier systems were at the same point after launch,” says Fred Andersky, Bendix Director of Customer Solutions – Controls. “Last year, for instance, Fusion began its always accelerating growth curve, accounting for approximately one in five Bendix collision mitigation systems installed, with our radar-only technologies comprising the rest. For 2017, we’re looking at Fusion accounting for nearly one in three. This points in the direction we’ve seen for some time: The path toward safer trucks, advanced driver assistance, and automated safety systems is built upon the fusion of multiple types of sensor technologies and functional technologies. Future systems look like Wingman Fusion.”
Two Is Greater Than One
Bendix Wingman Fusion is built on the Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system and gathers input through radar, video, and the vehicle’s brakes. Then, using deep, multi-system integration, Fusion creates a highly detailed and accurate data picture that enables the system to recognize potential problems sooner and intervene earlier. Quicker action on the system’s part makes it more effective at mitigating possible collisions and reducing the severity of collisions. Fusion’s camera is powered by the Mobileye System-on-Chip EyeQ processor with state-of-the-art vision algorithms.
With video, radar, and sensors working together, and not just in parallel, Wingman Fusion combines and cross-checks information from multiple sources to deliver enhanced rear- end collision mitigation, alerts when speeding, and braking on stationary vehicles. Fusion also helps drivers avoid additional crash situations, including rollovers, loss-of-control, and sideswipe crashes, while prioritizing alerts to help reduce driver distraction.
“Two is really greater than one when it comes to delivering earlier recognition of a situation, as well as enabling earlier braking to help drivers mitigate situations with fewer false alerts and false interventions than single-sensor systems,” Andersky says.
Major North American truck brands offering Fusion as a factory-installed option include Navistar’s International, Kenworth Truck Company, and Peterbilt Motors Company. Additionally, Volvo Trucks North America offers Volvo Active Driver Assist, which is based upon Bendix Wingman Fusion- collision mitigation technology.
Fleets utilizing tractors equipped with Wingman Fusion include Andrews Logistics; Armellini Express Lines; Baylor Trucking; Cardinal Logistics Management Corporation; Cypress Truck Lines, Inc.; J&M Tank Lines, Inc.; Matheson Trucking, Inc.; NevCal Trucking; Osborne Trucking Company; and XTL Transport, Inc. Several of these companies have reported positive feedback from their drivers and believe that Fusion has mitigated collision severity or prevented accidents from occurring.
Some fleets have seen as high as a 90% reduction in rear-end collisions and a corresponding reduction in severity of the remainder. Given that a rear-end collision involving a heavy truck and passenger vehicle occurred on average every 15 minutes in 2015*, this is a technology that can make a significant difference in safety on our highways.
(*According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts.)
“It’s essential to remember that even with advanced driver assistance systems in place, alongside the ongoing discussions about automated vehicles, one thing is unchanged: The driver is key,” Andersky stresses. “The best driver assistance system on the road is still no replacement for a skilled, safe professional driver practicing safe driving habits with the support of proactive, continuous driver training programs.”
Andersky continues, “We’re always at work to help truck drivers operate in the safest environment possible, and it’s important to emphasize that active safety technologies are not intended to enable or encourage aggressive driving – ultimate responsibility for safe vehicle operation remains with the men and women behind the wheel.”
Through technologies like Wingman Fusion and robust post-sales support, Bendix delivers on safety, reliability, lower total cost of ownership, and vehicle performance and efficiency – areas critical to the success of fleets and owner-operators. In doing so, Bendix aims to strengthen return on investment in equipment that improves highway safety for all drivers and passengers who share the roads.
