iMobility showcase at Camp Nou (Barcelona)
Barcelona, Camp Nou
On 9 October, the iMobility Challenge presented intelligent vehicle systems to policy makers and professionals from the automotive industry at the Football Club Barcelona stadium.
The event was opened by RACC president Sebastià Salvadó, FIA president, Jean Todt, Joaquim Forn, first deputy of the mayor of Barcelona; María Seguí, director of the Spanish Traffic Agency (DGT); Pere Torres, secretary of Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness at the Catalan Government and Frank Seidel, Bosch Group President for Spain and Portugal.
Of the event, Jean Todt said: “Innovative vehicle technologies demonstrated today, offer the potential for better road safety and more efficient driving. A new era in mobility is just around the corner and it will mean safer, greener and smarter driving experiences. I am happy that the FIA is coordinating the iMobility Challenge, a project which demonstrates a more intelligent vision for our daily mobility.”
Speaking about intelligent vehicle technologies, Sebastià Salvadó said, “We have looked at the data, Autonomous Emergency Breaking could lead to a decrease of 17% in the yearly fatalities on Spanish roads. This technology is one of the most significant developments in terms of vehicle safety since the safety belt or the airbag. I am very pleased that RACC is working to make roads safer by promoting this lifesaving technology.”
Jacob Bangsgaard, Director General, FIA Region I said, “New car technologies are ready now; all we are waiting for is the right balance between political will and public acceptance to truly launch them in the market. The safety and productivity gains are immensely promising and so I believe that efforts to demonstrate these technologies are key to swift deployment”.
Key demonstrations that were showcased on the car park of the stadium included Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection. It is estimated that in Spain alone Autonomous Emergency Breaking could lead to a decrease of 17% in the yearly fatalities. A Motorcycle Stability Control was also demonstrated. The system utilizes the motorcycle’s Combined Anti-Lock Braking System and Motorcycle Traction Control to help riders maintain control of their bike. Other demos included a fully automated Park Assist showing how in future a vehicle could be parked using your smart phone alone. An eCall demonstration was also held. eCall is the emergency call systems that will be introduced in all new vehicles in 2017. It holds the potential to save 2.500 lives per year in Europe by cutting rescue response times by 50% in urban and 40% in rural areas when an accident happens. Finally, test-drives of an array of electric vehicles and electric vehicle sharing systems, as well as an ecodriving contest were organised.
Car manufacturers, suppliers, and innovation companies that offered demonstrations included: BOSCH; BMW; ClearChannel; Enerfy Driving; Euromobility; FICOSA; Going Green; NISSAN; TMB; RACC; STA; Renault.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
One of the key demonstrations at the iMobility Challenge was Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection. This vehicle safety technology acts in two different ways: it helps to avoid accidents by identifying critical situations in advance and warning the driver; and it also reduces the seriousness of unavoidable collisions by braking the car automatically. According to experts, AEB is one of the most significant developments in terms of vehicle safety since the safety belt or the airbag.
AEB systems can be efficient in the following types of accidents: rear-end collisions, queuing or multiple collisions, collisions with static vehicles/obstacles and pedestrians. Based on accident data from 2012 in Spain, these types accidents account for approx. 39% of the total accidents involving victims and 28% of the accident with fatalities. From the victims’ perspective, these accidents involve 29% of the fatal victims, 31% of the serious injuries and 41% of the minor injuries.
Based on these figures, the RACC estimates that, if the whole car, van and light truck fleet would be fitted with AEB, the number of fatalities could be reduced by 17.4 %, that of serious injuries by 14.8%, and the number of minor injuries by 24.5 %. This would mean 331 lives saved, as well as 1,547 fewer serious injuries and 25,832 fewer minor injuries. This would additionally lead to a yearly saving of 941 million euros, which would be the costs resulting from the accidents (medical, rehabilitation, material, etc.).
5th SalónRACC del Automóvil in Barcelona
Some of the technologies shown during the iMobility Challenge will also be showcased at the 5th SalónRACC Automóvil, the RACC motor show organised in Barcelona’s city centre (Avenida Diagonal) from 9 to 13 October, for the general public to discover these innovative technologies.
About the FIA
Founded in 1904, with headquarters in Paris, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is a non-profit making association. It brings together over than 236 national motoring and sporting organisations from more than 139 countries on five continents. Its member clubs represent millions of motorists and their families.
The FIA Region I office, based in Brussels, is a consumer body representing 111 Motoring and Touring Clubs and their 38 million members from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The FIA represents the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists. The FIA’s primary goal is to secure a mobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient. With these aims in mind, the FIA Region I work focuses on Road Safety, Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, and the promotion of Sustainable Motoring. www.fiaregion1.com
About RACC
With almost 1,000,000 members, RACC is the largest Automobile Club in Spain, leader in the field of mobility. It offers breakdown, personal, family and urgent medical assistance. The RACC is also active in the insurance and travel branch. As an entity with a vocation to serve the society, the RACC works on the training of young promising motor sport drivers and riders, and organises three events that count towards different world championships: Rallies, F1 and Motorcycling. The RACC cares, moves and creates states of opinion to improve mobility and road safety.
