LIVONIA, Mich. – TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. has launched production of camera systems in the U.S. and says it is investing in its electronics facility in Marshall, Ill., to support its growing video camera business worldwide.
TRW’s Scalable video camera (S-Cam) family can provide a range of safety functions including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, headlight control, traffic sign recognition and pedestrian detection. When integrated with vehicle chassis systems, the S-Cam can provide advanced active driver assist (DAS) functions including lane keeping and lane centering (together with electric steering) and automatic emergency braking (together with radar and electronic stability control). TRW’s S-Cam range of cameras incorporate technology from Mobileye, one of the world leaders in automotive vision algorithms, and TRW’s next generation camera, the S-Cam3, will provide another significant advance in processing power and safety and comfort functionality, the company says.
Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales and business development, commented, "In North America, in the coming five years, we expect to see a strong demand for camera systems – particularly in light of the high frequency of accidents caused by lane drift. According to 2011 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, 53 percent of road fatalities result from a roadway departure, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data estimates that lane departure warning and lane keeping assist systems could save more than 7,500 lives in the USA each year.
"We are investing in our production sites – both in North America and in Europe, in support of a number of global business awards. We are installing new assembly cells at our Marshall plant as well as at our other camera facility in Peterlee in the U.K. We also continue to invest in research and development in this area, to maintain our position as a leader in this technology," he added.
Approximately 25 additional staff members have been employed at the plant across management, manufacturing and assembly, with approximately 60 new positions being created at TRW’s global electronics headquarters in Farmington Hills, Mich., to support the further development and application of camera technologies.
"The expansion of TRW’s camera production in the U.S. marks a significant milestone in the development of these exciting technologies," said Tolga Oal, vice president and general manager, TRW Global Electronics. "Automotive cameras have the potential to assist drivers in many ways from a safety, comfort and convenience standpoint. The demand will not be limited to the luxury car segments, with TRW launching its affordable camera technology on popular mid-sized sedans and sport utilities over the next several years."
TRW started production of its first generation camera in 2008 on the European Lancia Delta and launched its second-generation camera (S-Cam) in 2011. By late 2013 the S-Cam will be available on vehicles from five major OEM’s in North America, Europe and Asia. The third generation will be launched on a number of 2016 model year applications.
