Meritor Wabco have introduced a collision safety system with active braking for the North American commercial vehicle market. The system, called OnGuard, is currently installed on nearly 200 vehicles and is targeted for third quarter 2008 availability as a factory-installed option from several OEMs.
OnGuard is a forward-looking, radar-based adaptive cruise control system with active braking for commercial vehicles. Active braking improves vehicle safety by automatically using the vehicle’s service brakes to alert the driver when a pre-set vehicle following distance is compromised, providing the maximum reaction time for the driver to take appropriate action.
Automatic service brake intervention distinguishes OnGuard from existing passive collision warning systems, which can only alert the driver to a potentially dangerous situation through audiovisual alarms and/or engine braking. With this new product on the truck, if the pre-determined safety distance is compromised, OnGuard will provide visual and audible warning to the driver, vehicle deceleration through engine control, retarder control and — most importantly — noticeable vehicle slowdown via the service brakes up to one-third of a full brake application, which is within safe limits for the driver to take control.
OnGuard fully integrates with Meritor Wabco’s other anti-lock braking and stability control systems.