SBIR Phase I: Development of the thinnest, most flexible, sustainable and cost-efficient hands-off-detection sensor and steering wheel heating insert for autonomous vehicles

Information

  • NSF Award
  • 2404987
Owner
  • Award Id
    2404987
  • Award Effective Date
    9/1/2024 - 3 months ago
  • Award Expiration Date
    5/31/2025 - 5 months from now
  • Award Amount
    $ 275,000.00
  • Award Instrument
    Standard Grant

SBIR Phase I: Development of the thinnest, most flexible, sustainable and cost-efficient hands-off-detection sensor and steering wheel heating insert for autonomous vehicles

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop a Hands-Off-Detection (HOD) system for the vehicle steering wheel with integrated heating functionality, addressing the performance and implementation issues of current solutions, and replacing traditional, more cumbersome systems with a simplified design and the use of proprietary electronic textiles. The broad impact of this project is helping to mitigate human errors that cause driving accidents, significantly reducing the economic costs associated with motor vehicle accidents, and ultimately, helping to save lives. Additionally, the innovation promotes sustainability by minimizing waste and material consumption through the integration of electronic components directly into fabric. This eco-friendly approach will not only enhance fuel efficiency in transportation applications but also offers streamlined manufacturing processes and ease of recycling, addressing the challenge of electronic waste. Furthermore, the project supports the advancement of flexible circuit technology, potentially benefiting other sectors such as medical devices, robotics, and smart clothing. Hands-Off-Detection is a crucial and mandatory element of any steering assistance system. Specifically, all cars with Line-Keeping-Assistance are required to have Hands-Off-Detection. The global market size for this component is estimated to reach $721 million by 2030.<br/><br/>The intellectual merit of this project lies in its innovative approach to integrating a Hands-Off-Detection system with heating functionality within a vehicle steering wheel using special electronic textile technology. The core innovation replaces the traditional, bulky two-electrode capacitive touch sensors with a single antenna system, enhancing reliability and reducing material use. The primary research objectives are to demonstrate the feasibility of this new Hands-Off-Detection and Heating component by ensuring it meets critical technical parameters, performs consistently across the full automotive interior temperature range, and achieves a reduced carbon footprint. The research will involve building and testing a functional prototype in a controlled lab environment, focusing on minimizing false readings and interference, optimizing sensor response time, and achieving uniform heating performance. Anticipated technical results include a thinner, more flexible, and easier-to-integrate Hands-Off-Detection & Heating component that not only meets but exceeds the performance standards of existing solutions. Additionally, this project aims to validate the environmental benefits of the proprietary electronic textile technology used to build this automotive component, ensuring it provides a sustainable alternative to current market leaders. This project is expected to advance the field of electronic textiles, providing a robust, scalable solution for automotive and potentially other applications.<br/><br/>This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

  • Program Officer
    Benaiah Schragbschrag@nsf.gov7032928323
  • Min Amd Letter Date
    8/26/2024 - 4 months ago
  • Max Amd Letter Date
    8/26/2024 - 4 months ago
  • ARRA Amount

Institutions

  • Name
    LOOMIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • City
    BROOKLY
  • State
    NY
  • Country
    United States
  • Address
    67 35TH STREET
  • Postal Code
    112322245
  • Phone Number
    6199938069

Investigators

  • First Name
    Madison
  • Last Name
    Maxey
  • Email Address
    grants@loomia.com
  • Start Date
    8/26/2024 12:00:00 AM

Program Element

  • Text
    SBIR Phase I
  • Code
    537100

Program Reference

  • Text
    SENSORS AND SENSING SYSTEMS
  • Code
    1639
  • Text
    Instr Rsrch,Metro&Std NanTech
  • Code
    8616