The Role of Sensors and Sensing Technology for Future Automotive Systems

The role of sensors and sensing technologies for the next generation vehicle systems are discussed. The control systems for engines and power-train are expected to realize high efficiency with low pollution and comfort driveability. Vehicular safety and chassis control systems are expected to avoid many kinds of traffic accidents caused by the human errors of drivers. Vehicular information systems will help the drivers to get the information to manage their vehicles economically and efficiently. In every system mentioned above, sensors and sensing technologies are playing an increasingly important role. This paper introduces and discusses essential technologies for sensors and sensing which can be expected to bring the solutions to the future automotive systems.