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Meritor WABCO's OnGuard system earns Frost and Sullivan award
TROY, Mich. — Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems has been awarded the 2009 North American Industry Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award in Class 6-8 truck safety systems by Frost and Sullivan for the joint venture’s innovation, technological advancement and business performance in developing and marketing the OnGuard collision safety system.
According to Frost and Sullivan, the new product represents a significant safety upgrade over competing systems, continuing their tradition of truck safety innovations and industry achievements.
It was presented to Meritor WABCO’s Rick Romer, director-key customer management, Wednesday night at a Frost and Sullivan formal awards ceremony in San Antonio, Texas.
“We are obviously proud of this new safety advancement, the OnGuard collision safety system, and quite gratified to learn that distinguished observers in our commercial vehicle industry feel the same way,†Jon Morrison, president of Meritor WABCO, said.
The technology is in use today in over 1,400 heavy-duty trucks across North America.
The system uses forward-looking radar sensor technology – featuring advanced algorithms – to detect multiple moving and fixed objects at distances up to 500 feet away.
It quickly and reliably coordinates the engine, transmission and anti-lock braking systems. Through audible and visual warnings, the system optimizes braking reaction time.
If a safe distance is compromised, OnGuard then automatically engages the throttle, engine brake and foundation brakes if necessary.
“This breakthrough is a critical advancement from passive systems, which are only capable of alerting the driver to potential danger though alarm and engine braking,†Morrison said.
“This represents a significant step forward in an industry where growth and development has largely depended on systems that provide safety at the lowest possible cost,†Neeleu Singh, Research Analyst of Frost and Sullivan, said.
Meritor WABCO is a supplier of vehicle control systems and safety enhancement technologies to North American commercial trucking manufacturers.
The OnGuard collision safety system is part of the joint venture’s Pyramid of Safety, which integrates a broad portfolio of advanced braking suspension and SmartTrac stability control systems that add value to the vehicles equipped with them, Morrison said.
Frost and Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance.
The North American Industry Innovation and Advancement of the Year Award is based on many criteria, including:
Technology innovation contrasted against competitors
New product/process introduction
Adoption of the technology/process by leading market participants
Advancement of the industry through research
Ability to conceptualize industry activities while successfully addressing customer needs
Meritor WABCO is a joint venture of ArvinMeritor and the WABCO Automotive Control Systems, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of WABCO Holdings Inc.
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