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Press Release |
19th April 2002 |
| MIRA and Aerosystems International Form Alliance to Enhance the Safety of Mechatronic Systems. |
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MIRA and Aerosystems International Ltd (AeI) have formed an alliance, which will ensure their joint expertise is offered for clients working on safety-related electronic systems in vehicles; to include Independent Safety Assessments and Safety-related Software and System Development. This partnership has been formed to meet the challenge of increased growth in the use of software to control electrical and mechanical systems (Mechatronic Systems), these systems must demonstrate very high levels of reliability and safety. Car manufacturers are increasingly looking to on-board electronic systems to provide the next breakthroughs in improving car safety and functionality. However, in the past the goal of replacing mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic systems with computerised ones to control driving functions such as braking or steering has foundered on cost and reliability. The MIRA and AeI projects aim to develop, test and design safe technologies for electronic driver assistance systems, appropriate for the safe mass production environment of car manufacture. Domain knowledge of automotive systems, automotive Type
Approval regulations, embedded software and safety-critical
issues are all required to develop and prove automotive safety-related
electronics. The move towards "X-by-wire" means
that aerospace industry levels of rigour are required and
the MIRA/AeI alliance provides a way for the automotive industry
to leverage aerospace industry expertise in high integrity
systems. David Ward, Manager of the Advanced Engineering & Electrical Group comments: "The alliance should lead to long-term benefits for drivers and the vehicle industry. By-wire systems should enhance safety by liberating drivers from routine tasks and assisting the driver to respond to critical situations. The on-board intelligence should allow driver instructions such as steering in a particular direction or accelerating at a given point to be translated into the optimum manoeuvre for the prevailing driving conditions or environmental influences. The technology also has the potential to make cars more environmentally friendly and less expensive." David Brown, Business Development Director for AeI commented: "We are very pleased to be working with MIRA to provide these essential services for customers across the Automotive sector, particularly at a time when x-by-wire and other technologies are becoming increasingly central to vehicle design. We believe that the combination of AeI's proven safety and embedded software expertise, coupled with MIRA's undisputed leadership in automotive technology represents a unique blend of experience necessary to meet the needs of our customers today and tomorrow." Since 1985 AeI has been responsible for the design, development and delivery of software and safety intensive solutions and services for industry. AeI is a growing and successful organisation employing over 500 staff, operating across the UK, USA and Europe. For further information please contact: David Ward, MIRA Ltd, 02476 355000 Emma Taylor |
