New-Tech Europe | May 2017

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X-ray vision for crash tests

Stuttgart. Together with the Fraunhofer Institute for High- Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach- Institut, EMI from Freiburg, the Vehicle Safety unit at Daimler AG is trialling the application of x-r ay technology in crash tests for the first time at the i-protect Tech Center. Ultra-fast x-ray technology produces still images of defined areas in razor-sharp quality during a test crash. A new development here is that it is even possible in principle to look inside safety-relevant components in

the areas of interior monitoring and occupant classification are of relevance in helping to improve passive safety. In the virtual world, muscle- controlled movements mark a major step towards active use of the digital human body model in place of the dummy in the development of new preventive protection concepts. i-protect Tech Center – networking at international level The next item on the agenda entails stepping up the research

order to assess their behaviour. An additional bonus is that the data from the x-ray crash can be combined with computer- based simulation models. This synthesis can help to further improve the reliability of crash simulations in forecasting the effects of real-life crashes. The interdisciplinary teams are also active within the i-protect Tech Center in the area of alternative restraint concepts – specifically with regard to the highly automated nature of driving in the future. The fields of science and practical application are jointly investigating which new approaches in EPFL researchers have developed the terrestrial and aerial components of a European spatial and urban mapping project. Developing a good, high-resolution 3D map is a long, tedious and expensive process: a vehicle scans the surrounding environment from ground level up to the top of roofs or trees, while an aerial perspective is added using a drone. But a new approach, in which the terrestrial vehicle and drone are operated in tandem, has now been developed as part of a European project called mapKITE. EPFL researchers are involved in the consortium,* which is funded by the H2020 program, and have designed some of the key components of this breakthrough technology. These include technical features – such as the target – that allow the drone to ‘latch’ virtually onto the vehicle. One look at the current approach to 3D mapping shows why combining terrestrial and aerial techniques makes sense. For

association’s networking at international level. Since the i-p rotect Tech Center was established on 21 January 2016, Daimler AG has been pursuing work within this cooperation platform on sustainable solutions relating to integral safety for the mobility of the future. The partners are Robert Bosch GmbH, the University of Stuttgart, the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM) and the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI Freiburg, the Technical University of Dresden, the Technical University of Graz and the Klinikum Stuttgart. example, to map out a long corridor like a road, river or railway, the drone has to work segment by segment, following markers on the ground. For control reasons, it has to remain within eyeshot of the drone operator, and to ensure its sensors are precisely aimed it has to be able to ‘see’ a certain number of ground control points. Another drawback is that with aerial mapping the direction of the drone’s sensor must be repeatedly corrected in poorly textured environments (e.g. snow, sand or water). And at ground level, it takes just a tree, bridge or vehicle to block the image. Then there’s the problem of ensuring the data collected from the air is compatible and consistent with that collected on the ground. MapKITE harnesses the advantages of the two techniques – and does away with their drawbacks – by combining them. The researchers equipped the drone with remote detection instruments and a navigation, steering and control system.

Two’s company when it comes to 3D mapping

10 l New-Tech Magazine Europe