DEKRA to Present New Algorithm for Faster and More Reliable Advanced Driver Assistance Systems at SAE 2015 World Congress

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - Mar 30, 2015) - DEKRA North America (NA), Inc. today announced that it has developed a new algorithm-based approach to make future Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) faster and more reliable. The new patented algorithm was developed by Walter Niewoehner and Xuan Zhou of DEKRA Automobil GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany, who will present their research at the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) 2015 World Congress on April 21-23, 2015 in Detroit, MI.

The new DEKRA algorithm makes "time to collision" calculations more quickly -- within milliseconds -- which gives the safety features of any particular ADAS more time to respond. 

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems were created to automate and enhance vehicle systems to increase both vehicle/driver safety and overall road safety. ADAS technologies are designed to avoid collisions and accidents by alerting the driver to potential problems, or by taking over control of the vehicle and implementing safeguards. ADAS safety features may include automated braking, automated lighting, providing adaptive cruise control, incorporating GPS/ traffic warnings, connecting to smartphones, alerting the driver to other vehicles or dangers such as pedestrians, keeping the driver in the correct lane, and showing what is in blind spots. ADAS technology can utilize vision/camera systems, sensor technology, car data networks, and vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-infrastructure systems.

"Compared to current methods the new algorithm is based on simpler formulas, less calculation steps, and results in more accurate values," said Walter Niewoehner, Team Leader, Accident Research at DEKRA. "Greater accuracy and speed in calculations makes the ADAS technology more reliable, and has the potential to improve road safety overall." 

"Ultimately, this gives the vehicle and/or driver more time to respond, and possibly prevent a collision," added Xuan Zhou, Road Safety and Accident Research Manager at DEKRA. "Another benefit of the DEKRA algorithm is that it can run on a less complicated configuration of hardware and software. This contributes to overall reliability, and has the potential to decrease costs in the long run."

As part of its commitment to safety, quality, and innovation, the DEKRA Automotive Business Unit conducts ongoing accident research and analysis with a goal toward making improvements in accident prevention. The ADAS algorithm was developed as part of that process. 

"As the global leader in automotive testing, inspection, certification and consulting, DEKRA is on the cutting edge of research and development in the automotive safety industry," said Donald O. Nicholson, CEO and President of DEKRA NA. "ADAS is a fast-growing industry segment, in part because it has already proven its potential to greatly improve safety on the road. We are excited to be contributing to ongoing improvements to this important, and potentially life saving, technology." 

Walter Niewoehner has over 30 years of experience in road safety and accident research, and is a Team Leader, Accident Research at the DEKRA Automobil GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany. He attended Hannover University in Germany. He is fluent in German and English and proficient in French.

Xuan Zhou is a road safety expert with 14 years of experience at the DEKRA Automobil GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany. Most recently, he has served as a Road Safety and Accident Research Manager. He attended Stuttgart University in Germany. He is fluent in German, Chinese, and English.

In 2012, Niewoehner and Zhou registered a patent, "Collision Protection Process & Collision Avoidance System," which focused on the detection and prevention of collisions between cars and pedestrians.

About DEKRA
DEKRA SE is one of the world's leading expert organizations and currently runs activities in more than 50 countries on all five continents. About 35,000 employees are committed to ensuring long-term safety, quality and environmental protection. The DEKRA Business Units "Automotive," "Industrial" and "Personnel" provide professional and innovative services in the fields of vehicle inspection, expertise, claims services, system certification, product testing & certification, industrial & construction inspection, consulting, qualification and temporary work. In 2014, DEKRA generated sales totaling approximately 2.5 billion Euros.