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Pedestrian safety system set for further tests

Flexpoint Sensor Systems is starting a second stage of testing with tier one suppliers for its Bend Sensor pedestrian impact detection system. The company says that initial tests confirmed the system could distinguish between a human leg and inanimate objects within milliseconds.

The initial testing analysed several Bend Sensor designs and materials that could be used in the development of a pedestrian safety bumper, ensuring the technology operated as proposed.

The second stage will move toward developing a final working prototype, narrow the choice of materials and applications that will be used in the final manufacturing process and carry out further tests to ensure the system’s accuracy and capabilities.

“Having proven to several Tier One Suppliers the Bend Sensor’s ability to accurately identify a human leg and trigger a safety response within milliseconds, we are now narrowing down the specific requirements for a second round of testing,” said Flexpoint’s CEO Clark Mower.

“This is a major milestone toward ultimately reaching an automotive contract and validates the ability of our Bend Sensor technology. During this stage we’ll work with Tier One Suppliers to incorporate our sensor into specific bumpers to bring us closer to final product requirements.”

In essence, the Bend Sensor is a single-layer thin-film sensor that can sense and accurately measure deflection, acceleration and range of motion.

Apart from intelligent car bumpers, markets for the sensors include industrial controls, security, computers, aerospace, transportation and consumer products. The sensors can also be used as switches and the company claims they have been tested to 35 million cycles.