With recourse to the technology and know-how we have cultivated over the years, Aisin is planning the future of the automobile on the basis of an unprecedented approach in response to the demands being made of motor vehicles in respect of the environment, safety and comfort.

Growing demands in connection with the environment, safety and comfort

Requirements as regards environmental performance are becoming increasingly severe in order to prevent global warming: regulations in countries all over the world are being tightened in connection with the fuel consumption of motor vehicles and emissions of CO₂. In Japan, new fuel consumption standards were announced in July 2007 envisaging a 23.5% improvement by fiscal 2016 in the average fuel consumption of motor vehicles in comparison with the figures for fiscal 2005. In the United States, in December 2007 a law was passed aimed at achieving a 40% improvement in the average fuel consumption of motor vehicles from current levels by 2020. The same month, the EU announced draft regulations aimed at achieving a 20% reduction in CO₂ emissions from current levels by 2012.

As regards safety too, requirements are becoming increasingly stringent, with governments coming up with targets for decreasing road accidents all over the world. In Japan, a target has been set of reducing the number of fatalities resulting from road accidents from the figure of 6,352 recorded in 2006 to 5,500 in 2010. The United States has set a target of reducing fatalities by 40% from the 1996 figures in 2008, while the EU is aiming to halve fatalities by 2010 from the level reached in 2000.

Comfort is another important factor. Since everyone has a different idea of what constitutes comfort, there are many imponderables on this market. But it is precisely because of this that is a market pregnant with possibility that gives us free rein.

AISIN is engaged in R&D activities that target these three demands of motor vehicles.

Release of products and systems that respond to these three demands

In fiscal 2008, AISIN released original products and systems intended to respond to these three demands.

The 4WD hybrid transmission adopts the newly developed Full-time 4WD system, which provides a stable drive by conveying hybrid power securely to the road surface. Although achieving power capacity equivalent to a 6-liter engine, a high level of environmental efficiency is achieved with fuel consumption equivalent to that of a 3-liter engine.

4WD hybrid transmission    

Our “Driving Monitor System” is a safe driving support system that uses a camera mounted on the steering column to detect when the driver is taking his/her eyes off the road and if his/her eyes are open. An alarm buzzer sounds when the driver is detected as not having his/her eyes on the road ahead.

Driver Monitor System    

“Map on Demand” is a system that incorporates the most recent mapping information into car navigation through a network. Car navigation maps have hitherto been updated only twice a year, but this system automatically updates map information in a short period, meaning that the driver is always able to use the car navigation system with the most up-to-date maps. For example, when a new expressway or toll road is opened for the first time, the most recent map data is transmitted within a minimum of seven days of the road coming into use, and this information is incorporated and updated into the car navigation system through a mobile phone network.

Map on Demand (Incremental Map Update System)    

AISIN intends to continue in the future to push forward with the development of new and original products that pursue the three themes of environment, safety and comfort.

Message from the executive responsible for research and development