Tokyo, 19 June 2000: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces that, as a participant in the Japanese Ministry of Transport's ASV Project stage 2 that started in 1996, it has recently completed development of the Mitsubishi ASV-2 advanced safety vehicle. Representing the crystallization of the company's vast accumulation of safety technology know-how, the Mitsubishi ASV-2 incorporates many applicable technologiesfor the 21st century.

The Mitsubishi ASV-2 now adds user-friendly ITS^*3 technology to the company's advanced Active Safety accident avoidance and Passive Safety crash injury and damage mitigation technologies. These technologies are also designed to help the more elderly driver. MMC has developed three ASV-2 models and the new safety technologies featured in each are currently being refined for application in production models in the near future.

1. ITS-ASV

This ASV incorporates advanced ITS technology, using sensors and communication systems to monitor the road environment and provide the driver with voice and visual information. The ITS ASV also features a system that assists the driver in taking avoidance action should he find himself in a potentially dangerous situation.

2. Hi-mobility ASV

Using new driving controls and advanced vehicle management systems to which universal design concepts have been applied, the Hi-mobility ASV offers outstanding levels of operational ease and maneuverability that are independent of the driver's physical characteristics or driving skills.

3. Smart Cruise 21 ASV

This special model has been developed for the "Smart Cruise 21" proving program to be run jointly by the Japanese Transport and Construction ministries later this year. Using information acquired from the communications infrastructure, the on-board systems assist the driver in crash avoidance and in keeping to his lane.

MMC plans to enter the three ASV models described above in the Smart Cruise 21 DEMO 2000 public demonstration to be held from Tuesday 28 November through Friday 1 December in Tsukuba City, Ibaragi Prefecture, under the auspices of the Japanese Transport and Construction ministries.

^*1 5-year stage running from 1996 to 2000. Stage 1 ran from 1992 to 1995.
^*2 Advanced Safety Vehicle
^*3 Intelligent Transport Systems

The Mitsubishi Driver Support System featured in the Proudia in February this year is just one example of the many advanced safety technologies MMC has led the industry in applying to its production models. Introduced below are some of the ASV technologies that are featured in the three ASV-2 models announced today and are in the final stages of development prior to application in production models.

I. ITS-ASV: Harmonizes with information society and surrounding traffic

1. System specification

• The Multi-eye system: Comprises wireless radar that detects distance to vehicle in front and relative vehicle speed; laser radar with advanced analytic capability; cameras that respond to significant changes in light intensity, and a variety of sensors that detect and monitor the road environment;
• Friendly cockpit: The driver-friendly cockpit meets the requirements of the information society in the 21st century, providing all information necessary for safe operation of vehicle and featuring the Head-up Display, voice-operation of the Mitsubishi Multi Communication System and a hands-free car telephone;
• Other equipment: Steering actuators, brake actuators and other components that support the driver in his operation of vehicle.

2. On-board technology

(1) Active safety

• Driver alertness monitor: The system uses a small CCD camera mounted on the dashboard to monitor eye blink frequency and eyelid closure time and to determine the driver's degree of alertness from this information. The system issues voice and visual warnings when it determines the driver is dozing at the wheel or other times when it detects a decrease in his alertness level.
• Variable intensity headlights: For optimum visibility at night, the system controls headlight intensity to match vehicle speed, steering wheel angle and other driver inputs and, using information from the on-board navigation system, the configuration of the road (winding or straight).
• Night pedestrian monitor: The system uses an infra-red camera mounted in the front grille to monitor the road ahead and provide the driver with information on pedestrians on a Head-up Display.
• Road surface monitor: The system uses sensors on the underside of the front bumper to estimate the slipperiness of the road surface and issues audible and Head-up Display warnings when it judges there is the danger of tire grip being lost.
• Rear-side monitor: The system uses wireless radar installed in the door mirrors and a camera mounted at the top of the rear window to monitor automobiles, motor bikes and bicycles in adjacent lanes. The system issues audible and HUD warnings to alert the driver of the presence of vehicles overtaking or driving alongside should he start to change lane. It also generates a weak "warning" torque countering the direction he is turning the steering wheel.
• Advanced high-mount stop lamp: The system tailors the illuminated width of the high-mount stop lamp to the speed of deceleration so as to show following cars how quickly the vehicle is being slowed and thereby prevent tail-end collisions.
• Advanced brake assist: The system regulates the degree of braking assistance to match inter-vehicle distance, the speed at which the vehicle is closing on the car ahead and other conditions.
• Advanced preview distance control: The system comprises: (1) Wireless radar, installed in the front grille, that monitors inter-vehicle distance and relative speed; (2) Wide-angle scanning laser radar, fitted in the front grille, that provides superior detection of vehicles cutting in from another lane or of vehicles close ahead; (3) Camera fitted in the rearview mirror that detects vehicles cutting in from another lane. The system uses these components to regulate inter-vehicle distance with the car ahead. Should the car in front stop, the system automatically applies the brakes. If the system judges the driver needs to apply the brakes, it issues audible and HUD warnings to prompt him to do so. When the vehicle ahead moves off, the system informs the driver both audibly and on the HUD and, at the flick of a switch, the vehicle moves off automatically once driver and system have both confirmed it is safe to do so.
• Lane trace assist: The system uses a camera in the rearview mirror to monitor the lane dividing lines and generates a weak assist torque in the steering to keep the vehicle in its lane, thereby reducing steering loads on the driver and improving safety.

(2) Accident avoidance

• Corner entry deceleration: Using information from the on-board navigation system on the radius of the corner ahead, the system issues audible and visual alerts when it judges the vehicle is traveling too fast to negotiate the corner safely. The system automatically slows the vehicle when it determines the driver has failed to decelerate quickly enough.
• Collision damage mitigating braking: When the system's radar and camera detect an obstacle ahead and the system judges there is the danger of a collision, it issues audible and visual warnings to alert the driver. Should the system judge that the driver will be unable to avoid a collision, it automatically applies the brakes to prevent the collision or to reduce the speed of impact and mitigate damage.

(3) Passive safety

• Advanced airbags: The system controls the deployment of multiple airbags using seat sensors to detect the presence of and seated attitude of occupants.
• Pedestrian injury mitigating body: The front end of the body has an impact-absorbing structure to mitigate injury in the event of hitting a pedestrian.

(4) Damage-limiting technology

• Mayday alarm: When sensors detect the vehicle has been involved in a crash, the system automatically sends details of the vehicle's position and extent of the crash to the Accident Control Center. This enables the Control Center operator to confirm details of the accident and to promptly call for ambulance assistance and take other appropriate action.

(5) Vehicular technology

• Drive recorder: A black box that records details of vehicle speed before and after a collision, as well as details of the driver's operation of the brakes, accelerator and steering. This information will be used to assist investigations into the cause of the accident and to stop similar accidents in future.
• Driver's card: This IC card combines security with convenience. Bringing the card close to the antenna in the driver's side window opens or locks the doors. When the driver inserts the card into the slot provided in the dashboard, the system cross-checks the card ID with his fingerprints. When his identity is confirmed, the system allows the driver to start the engine. A variety of personal information can be recorded on the Driver's Card and used in non-automotive applications.

II. Hi-mobility ASV: Easy-drive for all

1. System specification

Principal components include: (a) A user-friendly Universal Design Cockpit, which employs drive-by-wire (mechanical linkages are replaced by electronic systems) technology to enable driver operation and car dynamics to be controlled as desired; and, (b) An Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Management System, which enables drivers of all abilities to extract the full dynamic performance potential of their vehicle.

2. On-board technology

(1) Universal design cockpit

• Drive-by-wire controls realize a pedal-free cockpit. Other features include Multi-mode LCD instrumentation and swivel seats that facilitate entry and egress.
• High-ratio Steering: An adaptive front-wheel steering actuator regulates steering gear ratio in accordance with vehicle speed. As a result, the driver is able to apply full steering lock with only a small turn of the wheel.
• Hand-operated accelerator and brake levers: Mounted on the steering column, hand-operated accelerator and brake lever enable faster response and more delicate control than the traditional foot-operated pedals they replace.
• Drive mode switch: A switch on the steering wheel enables the driver to select the speed at which his vehicle responds to his operating inputs.
• Multi-mode LCD instrumentation: The large LCD instrument display is located directly in front of the driver. This Multi-mode Display presents all pertinent information in a highly legible and visible manner, and gives the driver the choice of a number of different displays.
• Swivel seats: Driver and front passenger seats swivel for easier entry and egress.

(2) Integrated vehicle dynamics management system

• This system delivers integrated management of multiple vehicle dynamics in response to driver inputs (speed and degree of steering, accelerator, brake operations), vehicle behavior, road surface conditions, etc. Should the driver need to make an emergency maneuver on a slippery road surface, the system provides optimal management of 4-wheel steering, drive torque split and braking force. The system assists less skilled drivers in making emergency maneuvers with confidence and reassurance.
• Four-wheel active steering: This system regulates front and rear wheel turn angle in accordance with driver steering input and the vehicle's dynamic parameters. Should the driver turn the steering wheel suddenly, the system reduces response lag by advancing front wheel steering phase while causing the rear wheels to steer in the same phase.
• Integrated yaw moment control: The system generates a direct yaw moment using torque and braking differentials in the left and right wheels, thereby realizing a substantial improvement in handling response and stability as the vehicle approaches its cornering limit. Employing throttle-by-wire and brake-by-wire technology, the system achieves very precise and smooth control.

III. Smart Cruise 21 ASV: Uses infrastructure data for safer driving

1. System specification

• The Smart Cruise 21 ASV is equipped for communications with the road infrastructure, and with sensors that detect lane markers installed in the road surface. It is fitted with a Head-up Display and other means to deliver information to the driver, as well as steering and braking actuators that assist the driver in the operation of his vehicle.

2. On-board technology

• Obstacle avoidance support: When forward visibility is restricted due to poor weather conditions or due to bends in the road and, on the basis of information (distance to and size of obstacle) received through the road infrastructure about an obstacle ahead, the system judges there is the danger of collision, it issues audible and HUD warnings urging the driver to take care. Should the system judge that the action taken by the driver is insufficient to avoid a collision with the obstacle, it automatically applies the brakes and slows the vehicle to mitigate crash damage.
• Corner entry speed support: Using data on the distance to and on the radius of a corner received from the road infrastructure, the system determines the appropriate speed at which to enter the corner. If it judges a reduction in speed is necessary, the system issues audible and HUD warnings urging the driver to take care. And if the driver fails to reduce speed quickly enough, the system automatically applies the brakes to slow the car.
• Lane departure prevention support: In poor weather conditions, this system supplies the driver with information on the vehicle's position relative to the center of the lane it is traveling in, and issues a warning if it judges the vehicle is about to depart from its lane.
• Right-turn crash prevention support: When making a right turn, this system supplies the driver with information received from the road infrastructure on the speed, distance and lane occupied by other vehicles in the vicinity.