Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems says its new OnGuard
technology, available this fall as a factory option at several OEMs,
is a forward-looking, radar-based adaptive cruise control system with active braking. New to North America, active braking automatically uses the truck’s foundation brakes to slow the truck – and alert the driver to impending trouble — when a pre-set vehicle following distance is compromised.

The driver is still the most important element in maintaining vehicle safety, the company is quick to say, but it also says this system can provide that split-second earlier braking to maintain control and avoid disaster in an emergency situation.

Automatic foundation brake intervention makes OnGuard unique. It provides more than an audible warning and activation of the engine brake. When the truck gets closer to the vehicle ahead than the pre-determined ‘safe’ distance, it gives the driver visual and audible warnings, breaks engine torque, applies the retarder, and most importantly, applies the brakes – to as much as one-third of a full brake application.

OnGuard is fully integrated with Meritor WABCO’s anti-lock braking and stability control systems, all of them using the single brake ABS ECU versus having additional add-on systems.