Watch CBS News

TRW Launches Combined Remote Keyless Entry, Tire Pressure Monitoring; New Camera

LIVONIA -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) made two new product announcements Thursday.

First, TRW announced it has launched its first integrated Remote Keyless Entry and Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring system with a major Japanese vehicle manufacturer. The system delivers RKE and TPM functions with fewer parts.

"Integrating RKE and TPMS can offer enhanced value and performance," said Ken Kaiser, vice president, Global Electronics Engineering. "By eliminating the need for separate receivers for the two systems we can maintain performance characteristics, use less space, reduce system weight and wiring complexity, and ultimately lower material and assembly costs."

This system is also leading the industry in reducing risks associated with radio frequency interference by utilizing multiple frequencies.  In-vehicle wireless communication systems have grown exponentially in the last few years, particularly since the Federal mandate of Tire Pressure Monitoring systems in 2007. With such wireless communication growth comes an increase in risk of RF interference. The use of multiple frequencies in this system ensures RKE functionality in the event one of the frequencies is unavailable.

This technology change is transparent to vehicle owners as there is no discernible change to the RKE key fob layout or performance – the transmitted commands are received by a single smart receiver/ECU that processes information from the RKE fobs, and also the temperature and pressure signals sent from the transmitters located in the TPMS sensor units in each individual tire. The integrated ECU decodes the signals to activate the lock/unlock function for vehicle doors and the trunk, and provides tire pressure warning information to the driver in the same way as conventional RKE and TPMS receivers.

TRW also announced that it has launched production of camera systems in the US and is investing in its electronics facility in Marshall, Ill. to support its growing video camera business worldwide.

Approximately 25 additional staff members have been employed at the plant across management, manufacturing and assembly, with approximately 60 new positions being created at TRW's global electronics headquarters in Farmington Hills to support the further development and application of camera technologies.

TRW's Scalable video camera (S-Cam) family can provide a range of safety functions including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, headlight control, traffic sign recognition and pedestrian detection. When integrated with vehicle chassis systems, the S-Cam can provide advanced active driver assist (DAS) functions including lane keeping and lane centering (together with electric steering) and automatic emergency braking (together with radar and electronic stability control).

TRW's S-Cam range of cameras incorporate technology from Mobileye, the world leaders in automotive vision algorithms, and TRW's next generation camera, the S-Cam3, will provide another significant advance in processing power and safety and comfort functionality.

TRW started production of its first generation camera in 2008 on the European Lancia Delta and launched its second generation camera (S-Cam) in 2011. By late 2013 the S-Cam will be available on vehicles from five major OEM's in North America, Europe and Asia. The third generation will be launched on a number of 2016 model year applications.

TRW had 2012 sales of $16.4 billion and employs 65,000 people worldwide. Its products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services.

More at www.trw.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.