Model-based TesTing of ford’s lane Keeping sysTeM

The concept of Ford’s lane keeping sys­ tem includes two variants: The driver can select a warning function and a lane keeping function in case the vehicle leaves its current lane, known as lane keeping alert, ❶, and lane keeping aid, ❷, respectively. Both functions make use of a camera serving as a sensor for iden­ tifying the traffic lane and the lane mark­ ings. Identifying the ve hicle’s own lane while continuously calculating the refer­ ence steering angle as well as keeping the vehicle safely in its lane need to be assured by appropriate tests. The lane keeping alert system is out­ lined in 1. The lane keeping alert func­ tion takes action by vibrating the steering wheel as an alert when the driver leaves his marked traffic lane. The lane keeping aid system, 2, reacts earlier, exerting a superimposed steering torque. This must be “soft” and override­ able by the driver. The steering feeling and behaviour of this action are some­ Dipl.-ing. Dirk gunia is Group Leader and responsible for the development of camera-based driver assistance systems at FordWerke GmbH in Cologne (Germany).