WABCO introduced OnLaneAssist active steering technology for WABCO’s portfolio of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). WABCO’s OnLaneAssist helps improve commercial vehicle safety and driver comfort by avoiding collisions related to unintentional lane departures, WABCO said. The launch follows WABCO’s recent acquisition of steering technology supplier R.H. Sheppard Co., and the signing of a cooperation agreement with Nexteer Automotive, developers of intuitive motion control.

According to the company, this is how it works: Using active steering technology and a forward-looking camera, the system detects lane markings and continuously evaluates the vehicle’s position relative to them. It also distinguishes between planned lane changes and lane drifting. In case of lane drifting, the system autonomously intervenes before the vehicle unintentionally leaves its lane by applying a correction torque to the steering wheel to return the vehicle towards the lane center. OnLaneAssist also smoothly releases the torque as soon as the proper driving path is reestablished.

“We are thrilled to introduce OnLaneAssist in North America and beyond,” said Jon Morrison, WABCO’s president for the Americas. “It represents the first innovation to result from WABCO’s dynamic expansion in the region through our acquisition of Sheppard and our cooperative agreement with Nexteer Automotive. These strategic moves increase and enhance WABCO’s ability to anticipate customer needs and deliver differentiating value to commercial vehicle manufacturers and fleet operators.”