A night vision system and a collision avoidance device developed by a research institute under the Ministry of National Defense’s Armaments Bureau to enhance vehicle safety are expected to sold commercially in two years, the institute said yesterday.
Su Yu-ling (蘇玉玲), who heads a project at Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) for developing dual-use technologies that can be applied to both defense and industry needs, said that with funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs since 1994, the institute has been in charge of the ministry’s technology development program to develop national defense industry-derived products and help traditional industries to upgrade technologically.
Brake pads
Among the most notable devices the CSIST has created are high-end metal and ceramic brake discs and pads developed based on the technologies used for indigenous defense fighter brake discs, replacing asbestos brake pads and linings.
Asbestos is a recognized carcinogen and is also bad for the environment, Su said.
She added the quality of the CSIST-made brake components is on par with similar products made in Japan, but their prices are much lower than Japan’s, which she said could give local manufacturers an edge when competing with Chinese low-cost asbestos brake product suppliers.
Vehicle safety
The CSIST began developing key technologies for vehicle safety in 1995, including an automotive collision avoidance radar system, a night vision system and an auxiliary airbag system.
Low Ming-feng (羅民芳), manager of the vehicle safety system project, said that if the night vision system — originally designed for military use — is converted into a system for civilian vehicles, it will increase a drivers vision and distance perception in the dark through the use of an LCD screen in the vehicle.
The collision avoidance radar system, meanwhile, will allow a driver to detect objects in blind spots based on their relative distance and speed to avoid a crash, Low said.
Transferring technology
He added that the technologies can now be transferred to manufacturers and that the devices are expected to go on sale within two years.
Meanwhile, the CSIST is also developing an in-wheel motor that can reduce fuel consumption by up to 50 percent, with plans to have it commercially available within five years.
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