EASi News and Information

Euro NCAP updates Test Protocols - Significant Changes in Pedestrian Protection

11 January 2010 :: Euro NCAP updated a number of its test protocols. This will come into effect in February 2010. Small changes were made in most of the adult occupant protection protocols. The pedestrian protection protocol was changed significantly. In the updated version the much awaited harmonization of the tests with the EC regulation was implemented.

Euro NCAP now uses the 4.5 kg adult headform and the 3.5 kg child/small adult headform for the impact on the bonnet and windshield. Also the application area of both impactors was modified: In the area between WAD 1500 mm and WAD 1700 mm the child headform is used if the chosen impact point is on the bonnet. If the impact point is on the windshield or windshield frame, the adult headform is used.
In addition to that there is a new option in the bumper test: If the chosen impact points on the Bumper Reference Line lie between 425 and 500 mm the OEM may choose to use either the legform impactor or the upper legform impactor. Euro NCAP also clarified that points beyond the Bumper Corners will be tested if deemed injurious.
Within the harmonization with the legal test the lower edge of the leg impactor has been raised 25 mm above the ground as well.

Our new seminar SafetyWissen >Compact< EuroNCAP will bring you a current overview about all Euro NCAP test procedures on 9th of February 2010. This Seminar is held in English on July 9.
To get even more detailed insight you should choose the seminar Euro NCAP and world wide consumer tests of active and passive automotive safety on 20th and 21st April 2010. This Seminar is held in English on July 5 & 6.

For more details on pedestrian protection we recommend the Praxis Conference Pedestrian Protection which takes place on 30.6 until 1.7.2010 and includes discussions about all effects of the Euro NCAP changes. The conference offers simultaneous translation into English for those who do not speak German.

The current versions of the Euro NCAP protocol can be downloaded from here.

carhs.training and FLV join forces to support the Brazilian automotive safety engineers

30 November 2009 :: carhs.training GmbH, the global leader in training and knowledge services for the automotive safety community is pleased to announce the appointment of FLV as its exclusive partner to represent, support, and service its comprehensive portfolio of safety and CAE seminars and training programs for the Brazilian market.
"With the introduction of airbags and other measures to improve automotive safety, Brazil demonstrates that it is quickly moving forward to adopt worldwide safety standards. Our comprehensive training programs in automotive safety and CAE will help Brazilian engineers to acquire the knowledge needed to accomplish the demanding challenges in the automotive safety development. We are happy that we found with FLV a partner that is both technically competent and customer-focused." comments Rainer Hoffmann, CEO of carhs.training on the signing of the agreement with FLV.
Fabio Viviani, director at FLV, said: “We need to consider that currently Brazil is the 5th largest automotive market in the world, and these new regulations and laws will move Brazilian vehicles, in the near future, to the same safety level that we currently see in the most developed countries. This way, the required information level and knowledge on vehicle safety will be constantly increasing. This new partnership will provide to all the automotive professionals in Brazil an updated knowledge provided by CARHS expertise’s. This will be a great benefit to all Brazilian Automotive community“.

carhs.training GmbH, Alzenau, Germany
Since 1999 carhs.training offers a comprehensive training program in the areas of automotive safety and simulation. All major automotive manufacturers and suppliers use carhs.training for the continuous eductaion of their engineers. The trainers are renown experts from industry, academia and public institutions. In addition carhs.training offers thematic events and conferences as well as in-house seminars at the customers location. carhs.training is a certified educational institution by the German Labor Agency.

FLV Rep Sales Import & Export, São Paulo, Brazil
Focusing on the automotive safety, FLV has established partnerships with the most important companies in this segment. With more than 10 years experience in the automotive area, FLV and its represented companies offer the best solutions for current and future challenges in automotive safety development. FLV is strategically located in São Paulo, largest city in Brazil and major business center in South America, at Plaza Building – Ibirapuera Avenue, 2064, 6th Floor.
http://www.flv-rep.com


"Automotive safety of tomorrow is going to be programmed" - Review of the 4th SafetyUpDate 2009 in Graz, Austria.

8 October 2009 :: "Automotive safety of tomorrow is going to be programmed". This was the conclusion of Dr. Thomas Schwarz' (Audi) presentation on "Integrated Safety" at the 4th SafetyUpDate in Graz, Austria. Passive safety is mainly based on the cooperation of structural and interior design, while the future  systems will be equipped with perceptive (radar, lidar, camera) and auditive (Car2X) sensors and use advanced algorithms to reduce accident severity or avoid accidents at all. The key to marketability of new systems is the systematic test. Dr. Schwarz showed current test procedures for systems for integrated safety.
Prof. Norbert Schaub from Daimler presented a new approach for automated test driving which provides repeatability of all tests for safety relevant systems.

Euro NCAP‘s new rating has been introduced in January as a basis for the development of advanced testing procedures. Prof. Andre Seeck from BASt (Federal Highway Research Institute) talked about the first experiences with the new rating and explained the concept of 'Safe Landing' for the continuity of the process. With the presented new roadmap of Euro NCAP the vision "For Safer Cars" will be followed up in the next years. The improved protection of children and pedestrian is a focus area on their agenda. According to Prof. Seeck there will be a change in the rating protocol for child protection in the near future.

Thomas Kinsky from Opel reported on the activities and updates in pedestrian protection. The new EU - regulation for pedestrian protection was passed on 14th January 2009, published on 4th of February and came into effect on 24th of February 2009. On July 25th, 2009 the technical appendices were published. The introduction of the single phases depends on the car type and numbers. Further information can be found here (pdf).

Also in 2009, the Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 9 for pedestrian protection was published which resulted in worldwide actions. Outstanding is the fact, that the GTR allows the implementation of the new FlexPLI as test body. In September 2009 the preliminary injury thresholds for this impactor have been defined.

"Automotive Safety and E-Mobility" was the focus topic chosen by the hosts carhs.training and Vehicle Safety of the TU Graz. The presentations on this hot topic illustrated the need for intensive research on the crash safety of batteries. The battery behaviour at high temperatures and the crash safe positioning within the vehicle are the main research areas.

The complete conference proceedings can be ordered soon in print. Please contact us via email and we will inform you as soon as the proceedings are available.

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