ARTC Wins More Honors at iENA Neuremberg 2013

The Automotive Research & Testing Center (ARTC), Taiwan's top vehicle testing and R&D hub, once again proved its strong development and innovation capability in advanced vehicular safety systems by winning two of the world's most coveted invention awards at the 65th Nuremberg Ideas - Inventions - New Products (iENA 2013) trade fair, the world's largest invention exhibition.

The two Gold Medal winners are an Advanced Driver Emergency Aid System (ADEAS) and Vehicle Steering System with Variable Geometry

ARTC president Joe Huang says that he is very happy about the center's consistent winning of the highest honors for high-tech R&D and innovation in global competitions, adding that participation in such competitions is a good way to stimulate working morale at ARTC. In the past three years, Huang reports, ARTC has applied for a total of 148 global patents (72 of which have been granted), more than 90% of which were invention patents in target markets such as Taiwan, China, the U.S., Germany and Japan.

"In addition to the confirmation provided by winning prizes, an even more important factor for technology inventions is application afterwards, which can really help people experience the benefits brought by new technologies," Huang comments. "ARTC has been trying to assure application for many years, and we have made this our objective in the development of new innovations. For example, we have transferred our Bus Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which helps detect vehicles in blind spots as well as traffic approaching from the side during normal driving, to a domestic company. A commercialized version of this active safety system has been adopted by several bus and truck fleets in Taiwan, and has achieved good results in the prevention of collisions."

In recent years, Huang continues, ARTC has transferred an average of 20 technologies to private companies annually. To help the receiving companies, the center has set up a commercialization task force to help overcome problems both before and after transfer. The final goal, according to the president, is to have new technologies enter into the daily lives of the people more easily and smoothly.

Over the past few years, ARTC has successfully developed, transferred, and helped commercialize numerous advanced vehicular safety systems and other technologies including an intelligent parking assist system (PAS)/auto parking system, reverse imaging system, LED headlamp modules (high and low beam modules), and energy-saving LED bulbs for flower farms.

Vehicle Steering System with Variable Geometry

The Gold Gedal-winning Vehicle Steering System with Variable Geometry developed by ARTC for scooters which have three or four wheels involves a special suspension system with variable geometry.

In this system, a linear motor connects with the vehicle's body and suspension and is able to lean the body automatically when it navigates a curve. By giving the vehicle an angle of bank, it provides smooth and stable riding comfort without the riders needing to change their postures. The system can also be installed on mobility scooters for the elderly and the physiclly disabled.

ARTC points out the many advantages of the Vehicle Steering System with Variable Geometry. On a multi-wheel scooter, the additional wheel will increase the resistance of steering and leaning direction, causing the rider to add more power for steering and leaning while traversing a curve. In the case of elderly or physically riders, the system can lean the vehicle over, making it easier for them to get on. It can also enhance riding comfort in differnet road conditions.

The Vehicle Steering System with Variable Geometry is controlled by a programmable ECU (electronic control unit), making a multi-wheel scooter equipped with the sytem sefer than traditional scooters.

Advanced Driver Emergency Aid System (ADEAS)

The Advanced Driver Emergency Aid System (ADEAS) is equipped with different sub-safety systems, including an auto-driving system, driver state monitor (DSM) system, obstacle detection system, and emergency-call system. If the DSM detects that the driver may be drunk or feeling uncomfortable, it will automatically take over the driving and park the vehicle in a safe place using the obstacle detection system. ADEAS can by installed in any car, and can be combined with in-vehicle first-aid medical devices, adding even more to its value.

ARTC points out two outstanding features of ADEAS:

1. Auto-driving strategy: Existing auto-driving technologies focus on keeping a vehicle safe by using image sensors to detect lane lines, or use a digital map with built-in 3D LiDAR to navigate. The problems with these systems are that their auto-driving system could fail if it is unable to detect lane lines or the map information could fail. ARTC's ADEAS uses the 2D LiDAR to detect road boundaries, so that curvatures can be calculated. This enables ADEAS to drive without lane lines or a built-in digital map. If ADEAS cannot detect road boundaries and lane lines, it will seek out nearby vehicles and drive to the destination automatically by following them.

2. The ADEAS system is equipped with safe and intelligent technology (forward collision warning system, lane departure warning system, blind spot detection, etc). In addition, The ADEAS system uses indicator identification to estimate collision risk and make a lane change if has sufficient time and space. It can not only estimate collision risk earlier, but can also reduce CO2 emissions.

Taiwan at iENA 2013

At this year's iENA, inventors in the Taiwan delegation (including those from universities, high schools, enterprises, and government-sponsored research institutions) together won an eye-catching trove of medals: 20 golds (compared with 22 in 2012), 34 silvers (29), 16 bronzes (32), and one special prize (3).

This year, the visitors who came to iENA from 40 nations were impressed with the more than 700 inventions and new products from 32 countries that were on show in the Nuremberg Exhibition Center. The range of products that were presented to the public for the first time ranged from practical inventions for day-to-day use to developments in the high-tech field.

This year, all of the inventions were evaluated in detail and 366 medals were awarded: 52 golds, 73 silvers, and 34 bronzes went to independent inventors, while 24 golds, 43 silvers, and 44 bronzes went to the best students and young inventors. The jury also awarded 32 gold medals, 39 silvers, and 25 bronzes to technical colleges and universities inside and outside Germany.