Integrated Self Sufficient Structurally Integrated Multifunctional Sensors for Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous and EV cars are the wave of the future. However these cars need reliable and accurate Pedestrian Protection System (PPS). The pedestrian crash sensing system is required to have the capability to detect any impact event occurring on the front bumper of an automobile (passenger or SUV/truck) within a very short duration and generate the proper response signal to a built-in protection system. A PPS is of great importance for the safety of pedestrians around the globe, because the number of pedestrians struck and killed by accidents is increasing every year. Road safety is at a critical point in the United States and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is planning to improve safety for pedestrians. The agency is proposing that new US-sold vehicles adhere to the pedestrian standards of the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP), with specific injury limitations set in a 25- mph crash test. Pedestrian deaths by vehicle were at their highest point in 40 years by the end of 2021, with overall pedestrian fatalities up 37% since 2000. Acellent is developing a tactile human-vehicle interface PPS that is fast to install during automobile manufacturing and satisfies both the time and accuracy requirements for a proposed sensory system for pedestrian protection. The system will be applicable for use in all types of passenger vehicles and trucks. Phase II focused on the design and manufacturing of a complete PPS system prototype with sensors integrated with an EV bumper, Impact detection DAQ hardware and preliminary impact detection software. Testing of the PPS system in a specially designed test setup to TRL 4. Testing of the system using Hybrid II dummy leg (representing a 50th percentile adult male) and several non- pedestrian objects (small animal, wooden board, golf club, wood rod, stone). A fixture was constructed to hold the Hybrid II dummy leg and swing it to impact the bumper. Tests were performed to identify the velocities of the impact of the dummy leg and understand if the impact signals are varying with different velocities. The sensors were installed on the plastic bumper for fast recording of the signals due to the direct impact of the object on the bumper. The sensors were connected to Acellentĺs IMGenie Pro hardware using customized cables and the hardware is connected to the laptop using an Ethernet cable. The recording of the signals is controlled using the data acquisition software installed on the laptop. Algorithms were developed for accurate detection between pedestrian and non-pedestrian objects The Phase IIB project will focus primarily on the maturation for commercialization of the PPS system. The PPS will be multifunctional targeting application to bumpers of passenger vehicles as well as SUVĺs/trucks. The goal will be to mature the system with focus on system reliability and commercialization. Phase IIB will mature the PPS to TRL 6-7. The markets for the products developed through this SBIR will be targeted primarily at the Automotive PPS Market The increase in the number of road accidents as well as the increased demand for enhanced vehicle safety are the major factors that are driving the global automotive PPS market. Autonomous and self-driving vehicles ultimately will integrate onto U.S. roadways and PPS will be needed to enhance the safety of pedestrian for these cars.