These systems improve safety and driving comfort by offering easy access and enhanced 360° visibility around the vehicle, while creating an ergonomic, intuitive relationship with one’s environment.
The Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems Business Group comprises four Product Groups: Driving Assistance, Interior Controls, Interior Electronics, and Access Mechanisms.
Key figures
1.7 billion euros in sales (2010)
10 699 employees
22 production sites
10 research centers
10 development centers
Global presence
> See the contact details of all Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems sites
Products
Driving Assistance
Valeo is the only global supplier offering the mass production of all three technologies for detection around the vehicle: ultrasonics, cameras and radars. This makes Valeo a partner of choice for automakers, with the development of future systems that will incorporate several types of sensor in order to offer new features. As well as making urban driving safer, driving assistance systems also enhance the flow of traffic, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
- Ultrasonic and infrared sensors: these are used in the Park4U™ system for semi-automatic parking and also activate the rain/light/humidity detection system with its multifunctional sensors. Combined with a camera, the ParkVue™ system provides the driver with perfect visibility behind the vehicle and a precise indication of distances;
- Radars: these form part of the blind spot detection system for safer lane changes, and the system that detects vehicles when reversing out of a parking place with limited visibility. These systems warn the driver when a vehicle is present in one of the blind spots on either side of the vehicle;
- Cameras: the 360Vue™ multi-camera system offers total vision around the vehicle. Cameras are also used in the LaneGuide™ surveillance system to detect unintentional lane departures.
Interior Controls and Interior Electronics
- Top column modules: these represent the electronic communication hub between the safety features and the cabin’s central electronics system. Valeo was the first supplier to integrate, in 2009, a flexray system in a top column module to optimize data communication between these functions;
- Switching and driver interface modules (HMI or Human-Machine Interface): the new interfaces manage air-conditioning systems and multimedia applications and are ergonomically designed for ease of use while ensuring optimal safety;
- Steering angle sensors (angle and torque sensors);
- Electronic control units for the cabin and battery management.
Access Mechanisms
- The smart car key: a new generation of hands-free keys that allow users to send information to their vehicle over a considerable distance (several hundred meters). They display information such as whether the doors are locked and the alarm is activated, tire pressure, and fuel level. The key can be used to pre-program the seat position or radio station, to pre-ventilate the cabin or pre-heat the seats, or for many other functions requiring communication between the user and the vehicle. In 2009 this Product Group added to its range of intelligent keys, particularly with the integration of features for electric vehicles (charge indicator, pre-heating and pre-conditioning);
- The Optimum latch: this door lock, standardized worldwide, improves both ease of use and robustness. No awkward mechanical resistance is felt during use, and the system offers a constant effort level throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. It is also cheaper to produce and reduces the weight of the locking system;
- Keyless entry and ignition systems;
- Automatic tailgate closure with movement detection;
- Radio-frequency remote access controls and receivers;
- Assisted closing of side doors;
- Transponder-based immobilizer systems;
- Mechanical and electrical steering column locks;
- Handles (including mechatronic handles for hands-free access systems);
- Mechanical keys and locks.
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