Product category:
Design and Development Software
News Release from: Pi Technology
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 15 October 2004
Drive by wire revolutionises auto design
Advanced thinking in drive by wire, developed by Pi Technology of Milton, Cambridge, is at the heart of one of the show-stopping concept cars presented at the recent Paris Auto Show.
Advanced thinking in drive by wire, developed by Pi Technology of Milton, Cambridge, is at the heart of one of the show-stopping concept cars presented at the recent Paris Auto Show The Pininfarina Nido embodies new solutions involving both the structure and the design of a small two-seater car with the objective of increasing levels of safety for both the occupants and pedestrians
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 24 Dec 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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The drive by wire system conceived by engineers at Pi Technology plays a major role in improving the vehicle's level of safety by "freeing up" space ahead of the passengers To maximise the effectiveness of the Nido principle, the space normally taken up by the steering column and traditional pedal box has been freed up by the use of a "steer and brake by wire" system, which means that the conventional components no longer intrude into the passenger compartment and also allow the use of a spokeless steering wheel.
This last feature optimises instrument visibility, thus further contributing to safety.
Pi Technology's value-add to the concept is based on: the company's proprietary drive-by-wire intellectual property; application of a highly skilled multidisciplinary engineering team allowing complete system development from concept to working prototype, building on previous experience and applying an experienced systems engineering approach; and system safety analysis expertise, essential for developing drive-by-wire system prototypes, and commercially vital when considering ultimate production.
Adrian Carnie, Business Unit Leader, Pi Technology said: "Drive by wire is attracting increasing attention as it offers practical new design freedoms as the capability of onboard control systems increases".
"However, any system that so directly affects the dynamics and safety of the vehicle must be thoroughly understood".
"We have spent hundreds of man-years of effort building our knowledge of such systems and were delighted to have contributed to the exciting Nido concept".
Pi Technology has published a white paper detailing the technologies and concepts applied to the project.
It can be downloaded from the company's new website.
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