Continental Corp.

More than 28,000 people were killed in passenger vehicle accidents in the U.S. in 2007, with another 2.2 million injured, resulting in a $230-billion drag on the economy.

As automotive supply companies provide sophisticated systems that aid drivers, they are discovering that electronics technology is driving what they do. Here's a look at one technology and one supplier's approach.

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Accelerometers for AirbagsA family of high-g acceleration sensors able to detect rapid deceleration of vehicles during a crash has been developed by STMicroelectronics (www.st.com). These "AISI DS" peripheral-sensor accelerometers provide single-axis, in-plane motion sensing from ±20 to ±400 g.

Designing, Engineering & Making The Drop-Top

Kieran O’Sullivan of Continental talks about how changes in tech will make in-vehicle information and entertainment more accessible.