TESTING VBox audio and visual sensors fulfill UNECE and Euro NCAP requirements Sound and vision A new test tool enables engineers to check the safety of L3+ driving controls and features By Jake Durbin , applications engineering manager, Racelogic Sensor pack A s modern vehicles progress through the levels of automation there has been an increase in the need for communication between the car and the driver. This communication is designed to make it clear who is responsible for certain elements of the driving task, warning when action is required by the driver or informing the driver when the vehicle intervenes. This human-machine interface is delivered via a selection of audio and visual cues that have become an essential safety feature of any vehicle cabin, and as with all safety features, it requires the ability to accurately benchmark, develop and test technologies. The new VBox ADAS Sensor Pack, comprising an audio and visual sensor, has been specifically designed for this field of testing and it fulfills all relevant requirements of UNECE and Euro NCAP. VBox Automotive has always believed in developing solutions that make life easier for test engineers. A big part of this is providing all the equipment needed to conduct a test and not just the core datalogger technology. This ranges from whole system testing such as pass-by noise to tailored accessories such as the pedal force sensor for brake testing. Below: Easy to install, sensors can be mounted directly on the wing mirror or dashboard, and are easy to integrate with other test equipment The VBox ADAS Sensor Pack is another great example of a cost-effective piece of equipment that provides test engineers with a simple yet clever solution. Admittedly, this is not a completely original concept; there are other sensors available that are perfectly capable of recording the bings and bongs produced by modern cars. It is their simplicity and robustness that set the VBox sensors apart. They have been purposely designed to be accurate, small, easy to install, quick to move between vehicles, and painless to integrate with other equipment. When a light goes on or a sound is made, the user will know about it. Visual alerts and information related to systems including forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring and safe exit assist/ dooring are recorded by the VBox visual sensor. The sensor can be mounted directly on the wing mirror or dashboard to capture the warning light activation. These visual warnings can be either sent to a datalogger for an instant pass/fail assessment based on the specific scenario, or directly transmitted to a driving robot for real-time response to the warning. The VBox audio sensor captures audible warnings such as those given during forward collision warning (FCW), driver status monitoring (DSM) and safe exit assist/ dooring scenarios. It can also be used to detect information functions given as part of occupant status monitoring (OSM), seatbelt reminder (SBR) and intelligent speed assist (ISA). Both sensors have a digital output with an additional CAN output for the audio sensor. This enables the synchronization of audio and visual warnings with any other parameters being recorded by the vehicle under test. For now, lights and sounds are the main method of communication between car and driver. While it might be a primitive language, it is undeniably effective and universally understood. It is also a language in which the VBox ADAS sensors are fluent. CONTACT Racelogic | inquiry no. 105 To learn more about this advertiser, please visit: www.ukimediaevents.com/info/avi 60 ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International January 2024