10 / 84
LatestNews
X-ray vision for crash tests
Stuttgart. Together with the
Fraunhofer Institute for High-
Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-
Institut, EMI from Freiburg, the
Vehicle Safety unit at Daimler
AG is trialling the application of
x-r ay technology in crash tests
for the first time at the i-protect
Tech Center. Ultra-fast x-ray
technology produces still images
of defined areas in razor-sharp
quality during a test crash. A new
development here is that it is even
possible in principle to look inside
safety-relevant components in
order to assess their behaviour. An additional bonus is that
the data from the x-ray crash can be combined with computer-
based simulation models. This synthesis can help to further
improve the reliability of crash simulations in forecasting the
effects of real-life crashes.
The interdisciplinary teams are also active within the i-protect
Tech Center in the area of alternative restraint concepts
– specifically with regard to the highly automated nature
of driving in the future. The fields of science and practical
application are jointly investigating which new approaches in
the areas of interior monitoring
and occupant classification are of
relevance in helping to improve
passive safety.
In the virtual world, muscle-
controlled movements mark a
major step towards active use
of the digital human body model
in place of the dummy in the
development of new preventive
protection concepts.
i-protect Tech Center – networking
at international level
The next item on the agenda
entails stepping up the research
association’s networking at international level. Since the
i-p rotect Tech Center was established on 21 January 2016,
Daimler AG has been pursuing work within this cooperation
platform on sustainable solutions relating to integral safety
for the mobility of the future. The partners are Robert Bosch
GmbH, the University of Stuttgart, the Fraunhofer Institute for
Mechanics of Materials (IWM) and the Fraunhofer Institute for
High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI Freiburg, the
Technical University of Dresden, the Technical University of
Graz and the Klinikum Stuttgart.
Two’s company when it comes to 3D mapping
EPFL researchers have developed the terrestrial and aerial
components of a European spatial and urban mapping project.
Developing a good, high-resolution 3D map is a long, tedious and
expensive process: a vehicle scans the surrounding environment
from ground level up to the top of roofs or trees, while an aerial
perspective is added using a drone. But a new approach, in which
the terrestrial vehicle and drone are operated in tandem, has now
been developed as part of a European project called mapKITE.
EPFL researchers are involved in the consortium,* which is
funded by the H2020 program, and have designed some of the
key components of this breakthrough technology. These include
technical features – such as the target – that allow the drone to
‘latch’ virtually onto the vehicle.
One look at the current approach to 3D mapping shows why
combining terrestrial and aerial techniques makes sense. For
example, to map out a long corridor like a road, river or railway,
the drone has to work segment by segment, following markers on
the ground. For control reasons, it has to remain within eyeshot
of the drone operator, and to ensure its sensors are precisely
aimed it has to be able to ‘see’ a certain number of ground control
points. Another drawback is that with aerial mapping the direction
of the drone’s sensor must be repeatedly corrected in poorly
textured environments (e.g. snow, sand or water). And at ground
level, it takes just a tree, bridge or vehicle to block the image.
Then there’s the problem of ensuring the data collected from the
air is compatible and consistent with that collected on the ground.
MapKITE harnesses the advantages of the two techniques –
and does away with their drawbacks – by combining them. The
researchers equipped the drone with remote detection
instruments and a navigation, steering and control system.
10 l New-Tech Magazine Europe