ABI Research senior analyst Robert LaGuerra finds the new Volkswagen Passat an interesting car. Why? Because it is a trend-setter: perhaps the first mid-priced car to offer such a wide range of highly integrated, sophisticated safety technologies. As well as "an enormous amount" of passive safety features, the new Passat offers optional adaptive cruise-control, electronic stability control and an electronic parking brake.

"This car suggests two important directions in automotive safety design," says LaGuerra. "First, it sees the inclusion of active safety systems — those that attempt to prevent collisions rather than minimize their damage — in a midrange auto. Secondly, that inclusion means the use of ‘x-by-wire’ technology, using electronics to accomplish many functions previously accomplished mechanically."

ABI Research has published a quartet of studies examining the global automotive safety systems marketplace. "Driver Monitoring Systems", "Automotive Radar/Lidar Systems", "Automotive-Based Pedestrian Safety Systems" and "Vehicle Safety Systems" provide a strategic and technological overview of all the major technologies being used to improve automotive safety. They examine current and emerging safety systems at both component and system levels, discuss legislation and regulation, identify business issues and market trends, and offer forecasts for a large number of technologies and markets.

"Across the industry," LaGuerra adds, "safety systems are evolving and maturing. We already see them in some consumer vehicles, and they will increase rapidly in the next couple of years. They will become a huge worldwide market."

Short-range radar recently got a boost in Europe, as the EU opened up spectrum for automotive use. DaimlerChrysler backed the move, and the technology will show up in new Mercedes PRE-SAFE systems.

In the US, NHTSA has issued regulation which will see tire pressure monitoring systems being phased in starting with 2006 models .

Using a variety of sensors and processors, blind spot detection, lane-departure warning, driver monitoring and pedestrian detection are all headed for passenger vehicles in the near future.

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