The 2007 Audi Q7 is the first vehicle in North America to offer a new system by Hella that uses radar to monitor objects in the car’s blind spot. Hella calls it “lane-change assistant”, and audi calls it “Audi Side Assist”.
Audi Side Assist supports you by constantly monitoring neighboring lanes when the vehicle reaches 35 miles per hour.
While driving the Audi Q7, and a vehicle enters your range of vision, a subtle, yellow vertical light strip illuminates on the corresponding side-view mirror. In addition, when you activate a turn signal (to indicate an intention to change lanes) and a vehicle is in a lane next to you, you will receive a warning in the side mirror. The car’s vertical light strip will then flash.
The Audi Side Assisthas two 24 GHz radar sensors integrated into the vehicle’s bumper with a range of 164 feet. The system functions regardless of the weather conditions.
Hella, a global supplier, develops and manufactures components and systems for lighting and electronics for the automotive industry, including driver- assistance systems enhancing safety and comfort. In addition, its joint- venture companies produce complete vehicle modules, air-conditioning systems and vehicle-electric systems. Hella is also one of the world’s largest companies selling automotive aftermarket parts and accessories, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries. Annual consolidated sales for the Hella Group total $4.4 billion.
Hella is one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. More than 24,000 people are employed in 70 production facilities, production subsidiaries and joint-venture companies. Nearly 2,900 Hella engineers and technicians work in research and development. Customers include all of the world’s leading automakers and system manufacturers, as well as the automotive aftermarket.