The dynamics and challenges of restraint systems in the era of autonomous driving

With the rapid development of science and technology, the automotive industry is entering a new era. In this era, self-driving cars are no longer a distant dream, but are gradually becoming a reality. The challenge that comes with it is how to ensure the safety of passengers. The mainland has made some visions and research on the development of restraint systems. There are relatively few local companies in China that make airbags and restraint systems, which is worth exploring.

Part 1

Dynamics and challenges of restraint systems in the era of autonomous driving

Traditional airbag controllers have not changed much in many years

The rise of self-driving cars has brought new challenges. For example, seats are no longer restricted by traditional restraint systems, allowing passengers to move more freely in the car. In fact, with the seats in a semi-reclining position, the role of the restraint system is not that helpful.

This puts forward new requirements for the restraint system, which requires more advanced and intelligent technology to ensure the safety of occupants in the event of an accident. The future restraint system architecture is based on modern concepts, using artificial intelligence technology and combining it with a structure based on physical algorithms to improve the credibility and safety of the system.

This design concept is to turn the restraint system into an execution system that can better adapt to the changes brought about by autonomous driving and lay a solid foundation for future automobile safety.

Part 2

Integrated safety systems and intelligent restraint control architecture

The architecture of the future restraint system adopts an integrated safety system design, which provides flexible and efficient restraint control for autonomous vehicles through different airbag control unit (ACU) variants, helps improve the overall performance of the system, and also provides a good platform for the gradual introduction of new products and functions.

The new challenge in future driving is that traditional safety restraint systems, especially airbags, may not provide sufficient help in autonomous driving scenarios. "Out of Position" will become the standard in future driving, so new interior concepts are needed to adapt to freer occupant activities. This requires configurable interior use and intelligent restraint systems. Through accurate measurement of collision parameters and intelligent estimation of collision severity, the system can respond quickly before an accident occurs. Using methods based on physical equations and artificial intelligence, sufficient results can be provided and the reliability of the system can be ensured.

Technically, the architecture of the future restraint system is modular and open, and can be customized according to the needs of automakers. The system foundation provides an ideal platform for the application of safety restraint systems, while acceleration-based airbag deployment remains as a backup solution, which can further improve the technical readiness of each component in the system to cope with evolving technology and market requirements.

In addition to the basic restraint function, future restraint systems also offer the possibility for other innovative applications in automobiles.

Taking road noise cancellation as an example, by introducing a road noise cancellation sensor, the system is able to achieve a quieter and more relaxing feeling in the cabin through reverse sound waves. This integrated sensing enhancement approach allows existing sensors to be used for new use cases while improving the quality of the sensors through advanced software models.

Conclusion and Outlook

The future constraint system is an algorithm, and there will be an independent program as a safety component. However, the creation of the overall algorithm is centered around the top-level central computer application, and it is unlikely to be extended on the ECU itself. Although it can be thought of this way, the software iteration at the central computer level is faster and more effective. The small computing power of the execution is still considered around the redundancy and safety levels.