The evolution of safety: The road to CAPS

CAPS – Combined Active & Passive Safety - is an intelligent modular safety system that protects vehicle occupants and other road users via new functions. Through the networking of active and passive safety, as well as driver assistance systems (which had previously operated independently), CAPS contributes to crash avoidance and mitigation.
Active safety systems prevent crashesPassive safety systems reduce the effects of a crash
From comfort to safety systems New safety functions thanks to networking

Active safety systems prevent crashes

In earlier times, it was common for drivers to lose control of their vehicles during emergency braking. In 1978, however, Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) were introduced. ABS monitors the wheel speeds and prevents the wheels from locking which enables the vehicle to be steered during braking. The ABS principle was subsequently employed in new functions such as the Traction Control System (TCS). TCS prevents the driving wheels of the vehicle from slipping during acceleration.

In 1995, active driving safety moved into a new dimension with the introduction of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which influences not only the longitudinal but also the lateral motion of the vehicle. ESC thus recognizes any threat of instability and intervenes in split seconds with targeted brake applications. The vehicle is easier to control and skidding is prevented before it starts, under all driving conditions.

   
CAPS - Combined Active & Passive Safety
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