HiQ makes major investment in the development of “Active Safety” technology
In 2007 HiQ will implement an initiative focusing on the automotive industry and the area of Active Safety systems. The aim is to recruit 25 new consultants within this area, thereby strengthening the organisation that currently works with leading automotive clients within this area. The term Active Safety encompasses technology and systems to prevent and avoid vehicle accidents. HiQ’s new employees will work on the development, design and testing of new systems that are designed to make traffic safer, on behalf of clients in the automotive industry.
“We are seeing increased demand for the development of active safety systems from both the automotive industry and authorities. In view of the aim of minimising the number of fatal accidents on Swedish roads, this is of course a very important function in new vehicle models. Working on systems that will really make a difference for many people in the future feels good and inspiring,” says Patrik Sahlsten, Business Area Manager at HiQ Göteborg.
Active Safety is a concept that encompasses technology and systems that are developed in order to prevent and avoid vehicle accidents on the roads. In contrast to passive safety, such as seat belts and airbags that protect passengers when an accident has occurred, active safety systems are designed to avoid the accident happening in the first place. It is not unusual today for cars to be equipped with twenty or more different sensors, microprocessors and control systems which, among other things, help the driver to detect potential dangers and assist with roadholding and driving the vehicle. Examples of technology currently on the market include night vision displays, advanced anti-skid systems and cameras that help the driver to keep an eye on the ‘blind spot’.
HiQ currently works with a large number of companies in the automotive sector, having for example helped to develop and quality-assure software in systems that ensure the driver is warned if the vehicle gets too close to the vehicle in front.
“HiQ has a strong position within the area of infotainment in the automotive industry and has worked on various assignments for automotive clients for over ten years. A clear trend is for mobile communications and what is known as infotainment to play an ever greater part in the area of Active Safety. Until now, the software in the vehicle has relied on its own sensors to control the safety systems, but new mobile technology enables this technology to be developed further, and we will see more of this in the future. It’s a very interesting trend,” continues Sahlsten.
“There is now a lot of genuine knowledge at HiQ Göteborg as well as at other locations where HiQ cooperates closely with the automotive industry, such as in Stockholm. The new employees that we are seeking should of course have an interest in the automotive industry, but we are also keen that they should get to share our unique knowledge, be allowed to develop and have the opportunity to acquire cutting-edge expertise in this area,” says Jerker Lindsten, Managing Director of HiQ Göteborg.
For further information, please contact:
Jerker Lindsten, Managing Director HiQ Göteborg, +46 (0)31-743 91 00
Patrik Sahlsten, Business Area Manager HiQ Göteborg, +46 (0)31-743 91 00
Annika Billberg, Head of Corporate Communications HiQ, +46 (0)8-588 90 015, +46 (0)704-200 103