OYSTER BAY, NY -- Look out: The global market for front collision warning systems and related safety gear is about to accelerate. ABI Research forecasts that FCWS and lane departure warning system (LDWS) unit sales will increase from 6.6 million units at the end of 2012 to 140.1 million units by the end of 2020.

Although a number of OEMs already offer speed assist and driver monitoring systems as standard in their vehicles, the main focus of OEMs currently is on FCWS and LDWS, both of which are key ADAS systems specified in the EuroNCAP specifications.

The present EuroNCAP specifications for ADAS systems are mainly focused on low-speed or urban-type driving environments which means that optical cameras, (despite their limitations in poor visibility conditions) will be the most popular sensor used for obstacle detection, lane departure warning, and blind spot detection.

However, advancements in technology coupled with an expected drop in prices, means that radar sensors will increasingly be deployed in mass-market vehicles over the next three years. “Radar sensors work in all weather conditions, but until now have been confined to front-facing applications in luxury car brands,” said Gareth Owen, principal analyst at ABI Research. “As volumes increase and costs decrease, multiple radar sensors will be fitted all around a vehicle which will be used for other applications.”

• Prev
• Next