Technology company Continental is in the midst of developing an automatic system to warn of the risk of aquaplaning.
Aquaplaning is the loss of grip on extremely wet roads dramatically reduces the ability to control vehicles and presents a major accident risk.
In the future, the aquaplaning warning system based on camera data and tyre sensor data will detect impending aquaplaning situations early on.
This means that drivers will be warned in time and can better adjust their speed in advance. An initial production of the technology, which is currently in predevelopment, is conceivable in a next generation of vehicles, according to Continental technology experts. The hardware and software for the aquaplaning warning is being developed by Continental engineers in Frankfurt, Hanover and Toulouse.
“Even with the best tyres, sudden aquaplaning is always a frightening moment and can mean the danger of an accident. We are developing a high-performance technology based on sensor information and software that detects a potential risk of aquaplaning and warns the driver in time,” explains Frank Jourdan, member of the Continental Executive Board and head of the Chassis & Safety division.
In relation to further research into the aquaplaning effect and the development of the aquaplaning warning system, Continental points to the importance of sufficient tread depth for road safety. As aquaplaning depends on the tread depth of the tyres, the depth of the water on the road and the driving speed, Continental recommends renewing summer tyres with a remaining tread of three millimeters. If the tread depth is any less, there is a much higher risk of aquaplaning. Experts generally advise drivers to reduce their speed on wet roads and in rain.
Aquaplaning occurs when the tread cannot quickly enough deflect the water from the road. To detect this excessive water displacement, Continental relies on images from the surround-view cameras. These wide-angle cameras are installed both in the side mirrors, the grill, and on the rear of the Continental development vehicles. “When there is a lot of water on the road, the camera images show a specific splash and spray pattern from the tyres that can be detected as aquaplaning in its early phase”, explains Bernd Hartmann, project manager at Continental in Frankfurt.