The emergency steer assist (ESA) device takes only milliseconds to calculate the best evasive manoeuvre available to the driver, the so-called vehicle movement trajectory.
To do this, ESA interacts with the electric power steering and driver assistance sensors. The device cuts in automatically, enhancing the evasive action by supporting a smooth steering action and ensuring that the vehicle remains stable.
German supplier TRW Automotive is working on the project with scientists from Dortmund Technical University. ESA could find its way into production cars by 2018.
The developers point out that ESA is not an autonomous system which transfers driving control from the driver to a computer.
"The ESA function optimises a motorist's reaction in terms of speed and precision," said Carsten Hass of TRW.
The company is involved in talks with several carmakers, who are interested in using ESA although no deal has yet been inked.
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