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The issue of functional safety management is becoming more important due to the increasing complexity of automotive electronics. The ISO 26262 standard, expected to take effect in June 2011, specifies details of automotive development processes ensuring functional safety.

German car sensor supplier Beru is developing new car sensors to enable car manufacturers to comply with European and American emissions standards. These include integrated pressure, magneto-static, and radiator identification sensors.

Durr Factory Assembly Systems has designed FAStplant, a portable modular assembly system that allows faster production of cars. The system allows automotive companies to better adjust to regional market dynamics and has been in use in factories around the world.

Automotive companies Audi and Ford are using digital factory software to optimize vehicle production. The use of such software results in a reduction in planning problems, planning time, and manufacturing costs.

Aluminal Oberflachentechnik GmbH has developed an aluminum electroplating process for steel automotive parts. The process deposits an aluminum layer that is six micrometers thick, imparting the properties of aluminum and eliminating hydrogen embrittlement.

Reducing emissions and costs is the main challenge for heavy-duty diesel engines. Heavy-duty diesel engine development is driven by stringent emissions regulations in the US and Europe.

The third generation of the optical multimedia network protocol Media Oriented System Transport (MOST) was presented at the MOST Cooperation in Frankfurt, Germany. The 150-Mbps bandwidth system allows digital video streaming and other Internet protocol applications in vehicles.

Automotive lighting supplier Schreiner VarioLight teamed up with textile supplier Strahle+Hess to add blue ambient electroluminescent lighting to the interior of a Porsche Cayenne. The lighting design is easy to install, requires little electric power, and can be used for a wide range of vehicle interiors.

Switzerland-based Sonceboz is planning to install a new automated assembly line for stepper motors to increase production capacity to at most 100,000 units/day. Sonceboz manufactures compact linear actuators for BMW's bend lighting system. Sonceboz's other mechatronic products are discussed.

Mahle has showcased its technology demonstrator engine at the Frankfurt Motor Show to showcase the influence of combustion engine components and systems on overall engine efficiency. The 1.2-L, three-cylinder gasoline engine can reach up to 120 kW, or 160 hp. The features of Mahle's downsizing technology are discussed.

General Motors (GM) is focusing on sustainable growth, boosting their hybrid strategy by launching the Opel Flextreme E-Flex model and the Opel Corsa hybrid model at the General Motors/Opel Frankfurt Motor Show press event. The various features of the two concept cars, particularly its environmental advantages, are discussed.

The details of the latest battery isolator switch from Delphi Connection Systems are presented.

Brose has featured its sensor technology for safer and more comfortable driving through an Audi Q7 concept demonstrator vehicle with iClose sidedoor and liftgate drives. Capacitive sensors are used for anti-trap protection, which is also used for the new four-way power-headreast adjustor system. The systems' features are given.

Stricter legislation on carbon dioxide emissions and fuel economy are impending, such as the Green Diesel Platform in the United States. The platform is bringing together companies and their skills to develop diesel exhaust aftertreatment technologies. Pariticipating companies and other E fforts to lower carbon dioxide emissions in Europe are also discussed .

Continental Automotive Systems (CAS) is working with several manufacturers to increase production projects for hybrid vehicles. The company has shifted its focus to power electronics and brake-specific hybrid know-how. The company efforts to refine modular hybrid technologies, such as the alliance with ZF Friedrichshafen, are described.

Loremo has introduced its L1 test car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a sub-compact that uses under 2 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. The car was made using a combination of engine technology and technology transfer in the body area. Other design and engineering features of the Loremo L1 concept car are discussed.

The new Blackfin processor developed by Analog Devices Inc. for enhancing traffic signal systems in automobiles is discussed.

Focuses on diesel injectors actuated by a multilayer piezo crystal which are manufacturerd at the German Limbach-Oberfrohna plant of Siemens VDO Automotive. Operating principle of the Siemens VDO piezo common-rail system; System options; Outlook for the system.