Peterbilt Motors Company has announced it is now offering Bendix Wingman Fusion – an advanced driver assistance safety system that includes lane departure warning, enhanced collision mitigation and in-lane object recognition – for its Models 579 and 567.
“Peterbilt is a safety leader and we’re pleased to strengthen that position by offering the most effective, comprehensive safety system available, Bendix Wingman Fusion,” said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt Assistant General Manager of Sales and Marketing. “Peterbilt trucks come standard with numerous safety features, including front disc brakes and electronic stability control. Additionally, we provide our customers with a strong portfolio of optional safety content and the Wingman Fusion system is a powerful addition to those offerings.”
Wingman Fusion integrates several proven safety technologies. The system gathers input from radar, video, multiple sensors and the braking system to create a highly detailed in-cab picture of the vehicle’s external operating environment. “Fusion sets new benchmarks for accurate decision making,” said Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt Chief Engineer. “The optimized communication between safety systems working together takes driver assistance technology to a new level of performance.”
According to Newhouse, Wingman Fusion is built on the Bendix ESP full stability system, advancing and integrating technologies from previous Bendix collision mitigation systems. Some of Wingman Fusion’s features include:
Stationary vehicle braking – Operators are given up to 3.5 seconds notice when the system detects a large, stationary, metallic object in the same lane as the truck. If necessary, when the object is identified as a stationary vehicle, brakes are automatically applied.
Lane departure – When an unintended lane change is detected an alert that sounds like a rumble strip is activated so the operator can remain in the correct lane. The alert does not activate if the turn signal is used.
Exceeding posted speed limit alert and action – When the truck is travelling more than 25 mph, the system begins reading the posted speed limit on standard roadside signs. If the truck is going more than five mph above the posted speed limit, the operator is alerted to slow down. If the truck is travelling 10 mph or more above the posted speed limit, the operator is alerted and a one second de-throttle is provided to maintain the driver’s attention.
Enhanced collision mitigation – With constant cross-checking of camera, radar and other sensors, Wingman Fusion provides significantly faster analysis of potential conditions. “Collision mitigation performance is greatly enhanced and reacts faster than previous systems to avoid or mitigate an impact,” said Newhouse.
Following distance alert – When following a vehicle too closely, audible and visual alerts will activate until a safe following distance is attained.
Alert prioritization – If multiple system alerts are activated simultaneously – such as lane departure warning and collision warning – Bendix Wingman Fusion prioritizes the alerts and delivers the most crucial alert to the driver to minimize distraction.
An added safety offering at Peterbilt is pairing the Wingman Fusion system with the stand-alone Bendix Blindspotter side object detection system. The Blindspotter technology provides drivers with visual and audible alerts when vehicles are traveling in the truck’s passenger side blind spot.
The Bendix Wingman Fusion and Blindspotter systems are available now for order through Peterbilt dealers.
