Contintental has been providing OEMs with sensors for more than 15 years, many of them for up-market vehicles. It’s now launched a new series of infrared sensors to provide advanced safety and comfort technologies in mass market vehicle applications.

Continental Automotive Systems (www.conti-online.com) has launched a new generation of infrared sensors it says will pave the way for advanced safety and comfort features to migrate to lower priced vehicles in the near future. The sensors, which can be used for distance warning, panic brake anticipation and cabin climate control functions, will debut in a ’07 model produced by an Asian manufacturer. One is an environmental sensor with a range of approximately 164 ft., which can be connected to an electronic control unit to prompt the brake system to pre-fill brake fluid in the event of a potential collision, resulting in reduced stopping distance. Also available is another set of affordably-priced sensors capable of accommodating complete adaptive cruise control systems. “The interconnected protection against accidents and accident-related injuries that we have been advancing will now be available to drivers of price-sensitive mid-size cars,” said Michael Schamberger, head of Continental’s driver assistance systems product line. —KMK