General Motors (GM) has a long history of automobile safety innovation. In the 1970’s they developed a fully functional airbag called “Air Cushion Restraint System.” And now GM (General Motors) has a bold vision for the future – a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.¹

GM’s 3 pillars for a better world is certainly a future we can all get behind. DTS (Diversified Technical Systems) is a long-time supplier partner to GM. In fact, in 1998 when we introduced the TDAS PRO, GM bought over 10k channels, and they’ve been using our data acquisition equipment ever since. The data captured by DTS data acquisition systems (DAS) and sensors helps automobile manufacturers, like GM, design safer cars and systems.

GM recently introduced their safety brand, Periscope, a more holistic approach to vehicle safety, which includes a focus on engineering for safety through the human lens, including driver behaviors and the driving environment. GM is working on developing features and technologies that improve the safety of drivers, passengers, and those outside the vehicle (vulnerable road users). GM has recently developed “Super Cruise,” a driver assisted technology that helps detects when drivers aren’t paying enough attention to the road ahead and alerts them.

To help realize their goal of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion, GM has partnered with EvoVadis, a business that companies such as GM to gain detailed insights into the strengths and areas for improvement in particular areas.

Shilpan Amin, GM global vice president, writes:

GM is committed to social, environmental, and economic sustainability in both our own operations and throughout our supply base. Issues regarding sustainability impact us all and cannot be solved by one company or one nation. At GM, we are taking an “Everybody In” approach…so we can make significant advances in the most pivotal matters of our time.

Engineering rugged onboard DAQ for automotive data collection is a key component of DTS. Our systems are designed to support crash safety, sled testing, off road, and NVH vibration data acquisition collection. We also offer a variety of DAS in-dummy solutions and integration kids for the complete family of anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) and pedestrian safety testing.

We applaud GM’s vision for a world with zero crashes!

Photo Credit: GM Chevrolet
Resources
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T4xdyGLjWo

When Air Force pilots are forced to eject, they experience tremendous forces and physical stresses. During an ejection event pilots are hit with a gravitational force 14-16 times greater than normal. This puts them at serious risk of injuries including spinal damage, broken bones, as well as head and neck injuries. To help improve pilot safety, DTS is in the process of developing an innovative Dynamic Impact Recorder (DIR) that will gather data that can then be used to develop more effective protective gear including seating and restraints.

The concept and development of this new miniature dynamic impact recorder has come about as the result of a Small Business Innovation Research Award given to DTS to help advance pilot safety for the United States Air Force.

The New Dynamic Impact Recorder – Small Enough to Fit in Helmet

This new recorder will have the capacity to collect acceleration, force and angular velocity measurements, that a fighter pilot may experience during an emergency ejection event. One big obstacle is to create a design that allows the sensors and data recorder to be placed as close to the points of interest (such as the head) as possible – without limiting typical movements a pilot must perform in the course of a flight or unanticipated event. This DIR will be small enough to embed in a helmet and have an enclosure that is rugged enough to withstand the forces of flight and ejections.

The big challenge for DTS design engineers is size, mass and center-of-gravity (CoG). The technology needs the capacity to accurately gather field data with human subjects in extreme environments, without altering test dynamics. DTS’ ultra-low power designs are significantly smaller and lighter than similar systems on the market and the new unit will feature six degree of freedom (6DOF) sensing and onboard memory so all data will be stored in place to non-volatile memory.

DTS has been awarded numerous Small Business Innovation Research contracts, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 awards. Phase 1 is the conceptual phase and we are now in Phase 2, working toward a final design that will contribute to improving Air Force pilot safety.

DTS has 30 years of experience developing innovative data recorders and sensors used around the world for safety testing in aerospace, military, and automobile industries. For more information about the awards and the dynamic impact recorder, go to DTS Awarded SBIR Contracts to Advance US Sir Force and NASA Flight Crew Safety.

The miniature Dynamic Impact Recorder DTS is developing for the U.S. Air Force will measure forces that pilots may experience during an emergency ejection maneuver. The unit (shown as a prototype on the helmet) will collect data used to improve safety gear for USAF pilots.