Bringing the latest in advanced driver assistance technologies to vehicles already in service, several leading-edge capabilities of Bendix Wingman Fusion with Enhanced Feature Set are now available through the Bendix Upgrade Program. Enhanced Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Enhanced Stationary Vehicle Braking (SVB), and Multi-Lane AEB can be added to trucks equipped with earlier versions of the fleet-proven and road-tested Bendix Wingman Fusion collision mitigation system.
The upgrades are available for certain models manufactured by International Trucks, Kenworth Truck Company, Mack Trucks, Peterbilt Motors Company, and Volvo Trucks NA.
“The AEB and SVB enhancements build on the original Fusion capabilities and allow for earlier detection, warnings, and – if necessary – interventions,” said TJ Thomas, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions, Controls. “Multi-Lane AEB was previously unavailable on earlier iterations of Fusion and would be an entirely new feature for helping drivers navigate the challenging situations they encounter on the roads every day.”
Bendix, the North American leader in the development and manufacture of active safety, air management, and braking system technologies for commercial vehicles, launched Wingman Fusion in 2015, integrating radar, camera, and a vehicle’s brake system to create its flagship driver assistance system. Since then, Bendix has regularly expanded and improved the capabilities of Fusion through advancements such as providing full braking power on the tractor and earlier object detection. Bendix Wingman Fusion with Enhanced Feature Set introduced even more improvements beginning in 2019.
With locations in over a dozen U.S. states, the Bendix network of Authorized Upgrade Centers (AUC) includes dealers and distributors that facilitate the installation of the company’s advanced safety systems on existing vehicles. Only Bendix-certified AUC technicians have the required knowledge, training, and specialized tools and techniques to perform these advanced safety system upgrades.
Upgrades are covered by the Bendix warranty program and supported by the company’s post-installation network of driver and technician training materials, VIN tracking, and access to its full complement of technical support resources and tools. More information on the program and vehicle upgradability can be found at bendixcvsupgrade.com.
Bendix Wingman Fusion gathers input through radar, video, and the vehicle’s braking system, using sensors that work together and not just in parallel. The system creates a detailed and accurate data picture by combining and cross-checking this information, enabling capabilities such as full braking power on the tractor when needed. In addition to the enhanced rear-end collision mitigation and stationary vehicle braking available, the Bendix Upgrade Program introduces the Multi-Lane Autonomous Emergency Braking feature of Fusion. During a braking intervention, this feature means the system will continue applying Autonomous Emergency Braking if the driver changes lanes and the new lane is also blocked on the highway.
Other Fusion capabilities include stationary object alerts, overspeed alerts and intervention, and lane departure warning – all while prioritizing alerts to help reduce driver distraction. Wingman Fusion also helps drivers avoid additional crash situations, including rollovers and loss-of-control, because it is built on the Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system. Event-based data – including video – from all Bendix Wingman Fusion features can be wirelessly transmitted for driver coaching and analysis by fleet safety personnel.
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