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Infiniti's new Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, which alerts drivers of an unintended movement of the vehicle out of a designated traffic lane. The new system, which utilizes a small camera, speed sensor, an indicator and an audible warning buzzer, will be offered this fall on 2005 models of Infiniti's popular FX crossover sport utility vehicle -- the first production application of LDW in North America. The LDW system will also be available on the next-generation M45 performance luxury sedan, which is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2005 as a 2006 model. The Infiniti LDW system is temporarily disabled by driver activation of the vehicle's turn signals, which informs the system's control unit of intended lane changes. The system also features a manual cancel switch, which allows the driver to turn the system off when desired. The system automatically resets when the vehicle is restarted. The Infiniti Lane Departure Warning system recognizes lane markings through the use of a small camera mounted behind the rearview mirror. The camera's signal and the vehicle's speed are sent to the system's advanced microprocessing unit, which combines the information to calculate both the distance between the vehicle and the lane marking and the lateral velocity to the lane marking. A judgment is then made as to whether the vehicle is moving out of the lane (depending on the distance and lateral velocity to the lane). If it is determined that the vehicle is leaving the lane, both visual (indicator light located on the instrument panel) and audible (buzzer) warning signals are generated, alerting the driver to take corrective action. The system will not operate if the camera can't detect the lane markers or if vehicle's speed is below 45 miles per hour. "Some of the typical scenarios where the Lane Departure Warning system will warn the drivers when they are not giving 100% of their attention to driving and drift out of their lanes of travel are, for example, adjusting the audio system, looking at other occupants, searching for addresses or landmarks when driving on unfamiliar roads, or when concentrating on conversations rather than driving," said Yakushi. The Infiniti Lane Departure Warning system was developed in conjunction with Valeo SA and Iteris; the latter has previously developed LDW systems for the commercial long-haul truck industry. The Infiniti FX premium crossover SUV is available in three models, the FX45 with a standard
315-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 engine and advanced ATESSA ET-S(TM) all-wheel drive system, the FX35 AWD with 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and the FX35 RWD with the 3.5-liter V6. Currently available technology and safety features include an advanced DVD-based Infiniti Navigation System, Intelligent Key with keyless entry and engine start system, Tire Pressure Monitor System and RearView monitor. The RearView monitor projects a view of what's behind the FX onto the navigation system monitor using a small camera mounted near the rear license plate (the system operates only when reverse gear is selected). Also available is Infiniti's Intelligent Cruise Control system, which uses the brakes, throttle and laser sensors, to help maintain a set distance between the FX and a vehicle in front of it. A preview of the new, second-generation 2006 M45 will be available beginning April 8, 2004, when Infiniti debuts a show car version, the M45 Concept, at the New York International Auto Show. In addition to the new Lane Departure Warning system, the production Infiniti M45 will offer an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags and Brake-Operated Pre-Crash Front Seat Belts. "Infiniti has long been a leader in utilizing technology for the benefit of the driving experience -- including our Intelligent Cruise Control, voice-recognition-based navigation and RearView monitor systems," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manger, Infiniti. "The arrival of Lane Departure Warning is an important first for Infiniti."
Lane Departure Warning System (3)@Features The system uses information on the lane division lines ahead of the vehicle acquired by the CDD video camera, sensor data on vehicle status and on how the driver is operating his vehicle to judge whether the vehicle has started to stray from its lane. When necessary, the system prompts the driver to be careful using audible and visual warnings and by making the steering wheel vibrate. At this time, the system
encourages the driver to take corrective action by adding a steering torque that brings the vehicle back into the middle of own lane. The system leaves the driver in full control over his vehicle by ensuring the steering torque applied is not sufficient to interfere with the driver's own steering efforts, and by disengaging the system when the driver uses his turn indicators to signal a change in vehicle direction, or when he turns the steering wheel in an emergency evasive maneuver. (4)@Benefits Vibrating the steering wheel reduces the time required for the driver to start making a corrective steering action, compared with an audible warning only. And the application of a corrective steering torque that directs the vehicle towards the middle of its own lane makes it possible to reduce response time further still. With its steering torque information feature, the Lane Departure Warning System gives the driver more time to take corrective or evasive action when his vehicle starts to stray out of its own lane because he has taken his eyes off the road ahead, or other reasons.
2.Side-rear Monitor
(1)@Aims Employing video cameras installed in the rear of the body, the Side-rear Monitor System is designed to constantly watch rearview blind spots and inform the driver of the presence of any vehicles close to his own when making a lane-change maneuver, as well as prompting him to take care. In this way, the system is designed to help prevent accidents that are due to the driver paying insufficient attention to the road
behind him. (2)@Configuration The system comprises: Wide-angle lens CDD video cameras installed in the rear of the body; A turn indicator lever that recognizes when the driver intends to make a lane-change maneuver; Sensors that monitor vehicle's running status and; Audible and visual warning indicators. The system also serves as a rearview monitor for reversing maneuvers, when images from the CDD camera are displayed on a monitor.
Side-rear Monitor System (3)@Features The system video cameras constantly monitor the adjacent lanes behind the vehicle that can so easily be blind spots. When a vehicle or motorbike coming from behind enters the camera's field of view, this covering most of the area not visible in the rearview mirror, it is recognized as an approaching vehicle. Regardless of whether there is any vehicle in the monitor field, the Side-rear Monitor provides audible and visual warnings to prompt the driver to check the road behind him whenever he operates his turn signal at the start of a lane-changing maneuver.
(4)@Benefits The system encourages safer driving by warning the driver, when he operates his turn indicator, of the presence in the rearview blind spot of an approaching vehicle in the adjacent lane,.
Preview Distance Control System (3)@Features Using the laser radar to measure the distance to the vehicle ahead, the system regulates engine output and the automatic transmission to keep inter-vehicle distance at a safe level. The system provides the driver with an early warning when it judges the vehicle is getting too close to the one ahead.
(*1) Intelligent Transport Systems: Known as Advanced Traffic Systems in Japan, these encompass a number of areas, including traffic control and public transport. (*2) Advanced Safety Vehicle: Aims at improving active safety performance, chiefly by making vehicles "smarter". (*3) Automated Highway System: A public demonstration of automated driving and other AHS features was given in October 1996 using road infrastructure on the Joetsu Expressway before it was officially opened. (*4) Intelligent & innovative Electronic Control System: Introduced by MMC in May 1992; a world first. Uses advanced logic circuitry in the shift scheduling of the automatic transmission and in the TCL (Traction Control System) to realize significant advances in easy-drive qualities. (*5) Introduced by MMC in January 1995; a world first. To the advanced TCL features that enhance tire grip on slippery surfaces, is added a Preview function, which automatically reduces engine output if the system senses the vehicle is about to enter a corner too fast when the navigation system's Route Guidance Mode is engaged. (*6) Introduced in January 1995; a world first. Using a laser radar to monitor the distance to the vehicle ahead, this system regulates engine output to keep a safe inter-vehicle distance. The system also provides voice and visual warnings that urge the driver to slow his vehicle should the distance to the vehicle ahead start to close suddenly. (*7) Active Yaw Control: Introduced in August 1996, a world first. The system generates a yaw moment by controlling torque split between left and right rear wheels on 4WD vehicles, thereby enabling the vehicle to follow the driver's chosen
line. (*8) Active Stability Control: Introduced in August 1996. The system regulates braking force independently at each of the four wheels, thus promoting a stable body attitude when braking on slippery surfaces.