"Bosch's cross-functional team has expertise in advanced safetytechnologies: driver assistance, passive safety, active safety and sensors,"said Dr. Kay Stepper, director of marketing and product planning, ChassisSystems Controls Division, Robert Bosch LLC. "Our unique system developmentprocess allows us to offer new functionality by linking existing vehicletechnologies. We're not just providing a component, we offer the entire systemsolution our customers are looking for."

Comfort

Automotive electronics contribute to Bosch's networked Driver AssistanceSystems (DAS), which enhance driver comfort. By giving independent vehicleelectronics the ability to interact, the vehicle acquires a more comprehensiveimage of its own environment, resulting in the potential to react to dangerousdriving situations at an earlier stage. Bosch DAS technologies include:

-- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), utilizes a radar sensor to identify andmaintain an appropriate distance from a vehicle that precedes the ACC-equippedvehicle. Driver comfort is improved as the system operates at stop-and-gotraffic speeds and can slow the vehicle to a standstill.

-- Bosch's night-vision system contributes to the reduction of night timecrashes. Two infrared headlamps illuminate the road ahead with an invisiblelight. A video camera then captures the scene and displays it as ahigh-resolution image in the driver's field of view. This gives the driver anaccurate image of the situation in front of the car in all situations.

-- Park Steering Control measures the size of a parking space and tellsthe driver whether or not the gap is big enough for the vehicle. The systemthen calculates the required steering maneuvers and steers the vehicle intothe parking space. The driver only needs to apply the accelerator and brake --the steering wheel moves automatically.

Agility

Vehicle Dynamics Management (VDM) networks and builds on the functionalityof ESC and other vehicle motion systems to enhance the overall drivingexperience by improving agility, performance and traction. Bosch technologiesinclude:

-- Jointly launched in 2007 by BMW and Bosch, Dynamic Wheel Torque Controlby Brake (DWT-B) improves vehicle agility and is featured on all BMW 5-serieswith four-wheel drive and the BMW X5. With DWT-B, the vehicle becomes moreagile by increasing engine torque and lightly braking the wheel on the insideof the bend.

-- Dynamic Steering Angle Control (DSA) is an ESC-controlled modificationof front steering used to improve stability, reduce driver effort andpotentially decrease braking distance.

-- Additionally, Bosch offers several value-added ESC functions, includingHill Descent Control, Hill Hold Control, Load Adaptive Control, Traffic JamAssist and Extended Understeering Control.

Safety

Bosch's Combined Active and Passive Safety (CAPS) concept allows activesafety, passive safety and driver assistance systems to exchange information,enabling new and enhanced safety features for all vehicle types. CAPS is thebasis for the following exemplary technologies:

-- Predictive Brake Assistant (PBA) and Predictive Collision Warning(PCW), utilizes the ACC system to recognize critical traffic situations andalert the driver to a potential accident. PBA prepares the brake system foremergency braking by placing the brake pads on the brake disks as a matter ofprecaution and setting the hydraulic brake assist into a state of 'alert' togive the driver the fastest possible brake response. If the situation becomesmore critical, PCW then actively warns the driver by initiating a short brakejerk.

-- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) relies on a front-end multipurpose camerato identify road boundaries and ensures the driver stays within the lane. Ifthe vehicle unintentionally strays from the lane, the system alerts thedriver. In addition, other functions like intelligent headlamp control can berun on the same camera platform.

-- Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) utilizes existing ESC sensors to reduce avehicle's rollover risk by determining when a vehicle is experiencing extremelateral tire force and applying appropriate brake pressure at the wheels.

-- Trailer Sway Mitigation (TSM) uses a special algorithm to detecttrailer sway during a towing situation. To eliminate the motion, the vehicle'sbrakes are precisely applied through active brake pressure control, helpingthe driver maintain control even in critical situations.

"Bosch's innovative technologies help OEMs (original equipmentmanufacturers) differentiate vehicles and build specific brandcharacteristics," said Dr. Dieter Hoetzer, product manager, automotive radarand camera products, Robert Bosch LLC. "We also have technology ready to helpOEMs meet today's government regulations."

Beginning with model year 2010, National Highway Traffic and SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) is implementing its new rating program, the New CarAssessment Program (NCAP). The new overall vehicle safety score combines starratings from the front, side and rollover programs. NCAP requires vehiclemanufacturers to include vehicle ratings on all automobile Monroney labelswith a 1- to 5-star graphic display. Bosch's technologies meet all NCAPrequirements.

Bosch representatives will deliver presentations on Thursday and Fridayduring the Vehicle Dynamics Expo North America, including:

-- On Thursday, Oct. 23, Dr. Dieter Hoetzer, product manager, will discussthe increasing market penetration of driver assistance systems and Bosch'swide range of solutions, including high-performance systems and low-costsensor components.

-- Also on Thursday, Dr. Kevin Wu, technical expert, will discuss theimprovements made to trailer sway mitigation through the use of trailerbrakes.

-- On Friday, Oct. 24, Dr. Kay Stepper, director of marketing, willdiscuss how Bosch's integration of VMS improves driving dynamics and theagility of the vehicle.

Leading vehicle dynamics suppliers and consultancies will join OEMs todiscuss the latest innovations and technologies for enhancing vehicle dynamicsat the second annual Vehicle Dynamics Expo North America 2008, Oct. 22 throughOct. 24 at The Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services.In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, andbuilding technology, some 271,000 associates generated sales of over 46.3billion euros (over $63 billion) in fiscal 2007. The Bosch Group comprisesRobert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies inroughly 50 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and salesnetwork is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends morethan 3 billion euros for research and development, and applies for over 3,000patents worldwide. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch(1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering."

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotiveoriginal equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobileproducts, power tools and accessories, security technology, thermo-technology,packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch employs approximately25,000 associates in more than 70 locations throughout the U.S., Canada andMexico, with reported sales of $9.5 billion in fiscal 2007. For moreinformation on the company, visit www.boschusa.com .

SOURCE The Bosch Group