Retrofit turning warning system to improve safety.

 By Colin Windell 

Trucks turning left often have difficulty seeing moving objects but a new retrofit device can change this to make things safer.

Turning device makes trucks safer

The blind spot truck drivers have to deal with when turning left can mean the operator misses seeing pedestrians or even cars but LUIS Technology from Hamburg is showing a new system at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover.

The system is suitable for installation in new vehicles during manufacture as well as for retrofitting older vehicles.
 
Until now, ultrasound-based turning-assistance systems were not able to distinguish between moving and stationary objects. The new system launched by LUIS does offer this function.

The system is camera-based and filters out static objects such as parked cars or traffic light posts, protecting the driver against blunted reactions due to frequent false alarms. Optical and acoustic signals are only used to alert the driver to moving objects such as pedestrians or cyclists.

Both of these groups are subject to the greatest risk in right-turn accidents caused by HGVs and buses. The turning assistant is activated if the steering wheel is turned and additionally if the vehicle drives within a specific speed range.

Signal

A red box on the screen and an acoustic signal alert the driver only if there is danger. The system can be retrofitted into any utility vehicle, irrespective of make and manufacturer. It is perfect for use in goods traffic as well as municipal vehicles and buses.

Additionally, LUIS is currently developing a radar-based turning assistant. Also suitable for retrofitting, this new system will round out the Hamburg-based company’s product portfolio in the near future. Similar to the camera-based system, the radar solution will also only alert drivers to moving objects.
 
Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer, says: “If it were up to me, the use of turning assistants would become compulsory right away.”

LUIS Technology GmbH Managing Director Martin Groschke adds: “The use of driver-assistance systems notably reduces not only personal injuries but also property damage, frequently resulting in lower insurance premiums. Based on our experience, fitting such a system can pay off in as little as two years.”