Bendix has announced software updates to its Wingman Fusion collision mitigation system, enhancing its stopping power and helping drivers navigate stop-and-go traffic.

The updates also add highway departure braking and active cruise with braking auto-resume functionality. Current customers will be able to access the new functions through a software update and no hardware swap-outs are required. The updates will be available through truck OEMs next year.

Active cruise will work at lower speeds than before, such as in traffic jams or in parking lots, bringing the vehicle to a stop when necessary. The driver can re-engage the functionality by simply touching the accelerator, causing the truck to automatically move along with the speed of traffic. The driver no longer has to push the resume switch.

Active cruise with auto-resume will re-engage cruise control after the Fusion system brakes the vehicle above a certain speed threshold. The driver will no longer have to resume cruise if the system brakes and certain parameters are met.

Wingman Fusion will also offer highway departure braking, which will apply the brakes and slow the vehicle if it has left the roadway – even applying the parking brakes if Intellipark is available. A multi-lane automatic braking feature will continue to apply the brakes if necessary, when a truck driver changes lanes during an emergency braking situation.

Additionally, Wingman Fusion will be able to apply all of the truck’s braking power, up from two-thirds that was previously possible. This will allow the system to slow the vehicle from speeds as high as 80 km/h.