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Wingman unveiled by Bendix

May 1, 2011
BENDIX Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC launched Bendix Wingman Advanced, which delivers adaptive cruise control with braking features along with collision

BENDIX Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC launched Bendix Wingman Advanced, which delivers adaptive cruise control with braking features along with collision mitigation technology.

The system builds upon the company's full-stability technology, Bendix ESP, providing fleets with a system that can help drivers in collisions, rollovers, and loss-of-control situations.

Using a radar sensor mounted to the front of the vehicle, Bendix Wingman Advanced delivers both warnings and active interventions to help drivers mitigate rear-end collisions or, at least, help reduce their severity. The system provides following distance and stationary object alerts which are always available — whether or not cruise control is engaged. When drivers utilize the adaptive cruise control with braking feature, the system will also actively intervene to help them maintain a safe following distance behind a forward vehicle by reducing throttle; engaging the engine retarder; or, if necessary, applying the foundation brakes.

The collision mitigation feature of Bendix Wingman Advanced provides additional interventions, whether or not cruise control is active, by alerting the driver and automatically applying the brakes to help decelerate the vehicle when the system senses a rear-end collision may be imminent. About two-thirds of the available braking power of the vehicle can be delivered through collision mitigation, compared to about one-third through adaptive cruise control with braking. The driver, of course, still maintains control and can add additional braking or steering inputs to help avoid or minimize the collision situation.

“Bendix Wingman Advanced represents another step forward in commercial vehicle safety,” said Fred Andersky, Bendix director of marketing-Controls. “Bendix continues to build on its commitment to deliver cost-effective, active safety solutions that can positively impact ROI for fleets. Utilizing Bendix Wingman Advanced may help fleets and their drivers in the new CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability)-driven environment to maintain a strong safety performance and better scores, which, in turn, may help drive revenue, lower costs, and increase profitability.”

Bendix currently is working with International, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack and Prevost to determine timing on the release of Bendix Wingman Advanced. Bendix will continue to also offer Bendix Wingman ACB (Active Cruise with Braking), though the OEMs will make the decision as to whether to offer one or both of these technology products.

The innovative stationary object alert system provides audible and visual alerts to the driver when the vehicle is approaching a stationary metallic object, such as a car, steel drum, or other metallic obstruction blocking the lane of travel. The alert gives the driver up to three seconds before a potential impact, helping them respond to the impending threat. The warning, like all the alerts available with the system, does not turn off and is always available.

The Bendix Wingman Advanced system with stationary object alerts provides only warnings — the system will not decelerate the vehicle upon approaching a metallic stationary object. The feature provides notifications in a wide range of conditions — whether rain, snow, smoke, fog, or at night. Currently, only Bendix offers stationary object alerts as part of its adaptive cruise with braking and collision mitigation technologies.

“Fleets and their drivers tell us this alert is especially helpful,” Andersky said. “We've all heard about situations involving trucks and stalled vehicles on the road and the resulting consequences. Stationary object alerts may give the driver a head's up, enabling him or her to slow, change lanes, steer to avoid — or at least lessen the severity of — a potential collision.”

Bendix also announced:

  • Customers seeking sales, service, or technical support for the Bendix VORAD (Vehicle On-Board Radar) system from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC will now receive information exclusively through their Bendix account managers, Bendix SWAT team members, www.bendix.com, and the Bendix Tech Team members who offer service support via 1-800-AIR-BRAKE. Bendix CVS purchased the VORAD system from Eaton Corporation at the close of 2009. For two years, the Eaton Roadranger marketing organization continued to provide VORAD system sales and support across the North American marketplace. The support agreement expired on December 31, 2010. Effective January 1, 2011, Bendix assumed full support for the Bendix VORAD sales and service program. The Roadranger website will no longer provide VORAD information.
  • Current VORAD users will continue to have 24/7/365 access to the full range of technical documentation at the Bendix website. And, if needed, support and troubleshooting are available from the Bendix Tech Team call-in line at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE.
  • Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB) will open a new production line at its Bowling Green, Kentucky, manufacturing plant in June to meet increased demand for its patented Bendix ADB22X air disc brakes. Once fully operational, the new state-of-the-art automated production line will triple the current assembly capacity for BSFB's North American operation. With a nearly 120% increase in demand from 2009 to 2010 and an expected additional increase of nearly 40% in 2011, the new production line will help BSFB continue to meet the needs of OEMs, fleets, and owner-operators that are looking to extend brake system life and improve highway safety.
  • The patented Bendix ADB22X air disc brake is a lightweight air disc brake package offering longer brake life and fast and easy pad replacement, improving uptime for fleets. The brakes are designed at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake headquarters in Elyria, Ohio, and manufactured at its state-of-the-art production facility in Bowling Green.
  • Bendix air disc brakes are proven to significantly reduce stopping distances for commercial vehicles; virtually eliminate brake fade with no degradation of stopping power; provide a passenger car-like feel; and permit straight, stable stops. In addition, Bendix air disc brakes offer longer brake life and fast and easy pad replacement, improving uptime for fleets. Extensive field experience has validated the air disc brakes' superior performance advantages relative to stopping distance, pad and rotor life, and brake fade.
  • Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC introduced a new, higher performing version of its Extended Service drum brake developed to meet the new federal stopping distance requirements mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). New higher performing versions of the company's popular Single Anchor Pin, ES Extended Service drum brakes will be available in a variety of sizes for steer axle applications. The new brakes will phased into production and will be fully launched by August 1, the initial implementation date for the new stopping distance regulations.
  • NHTSA requires a 30% reduction in stopping distance for new three axle tractors with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWRs) up to 59,600 pounds and produced after the August 1 implementation date. Tractors with two axles, as well as severe service tractors with GVWRs above 59,600 pounds, must comply with the new mandate by August 1, 2013.
  • SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) kits are now being discounted by approximately 13% compared with year-end 2010 prices. The price reduction ensures increased affordability to fleets and owner-operators - especially in light of recently announced increases in tire prices. ♦

View QuickLoad at MATS 2011

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