TRW announces future investments in camera technology

LOCKE TOWNSHIP, Mich., Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW) is highlighting its advanced video camera technology at an event in Locke Township, Michigan, today. The Company is demonstrating its 'S-CAM' camera sensor as well as outlining plans to invest in a third generation camera in anticipation of increasing regulatory focus for forward collision warning and lane keeping systems in North America.

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Peter Lake, executive vice president, sales & business development commented: "In North America, in the coming five years, we expect to see a strong trend to implement camera systems – particularly in light of the high frequency of accidents caused by lane drift. According to 2010 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, 53% of road fatalities result from a roadway departure, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data estimates that lane departure warning and lane keeping assist systems could save more than 7,500 lives in the USA each year."

TRW's next generation camera will build on the current feature set of its production S-Cam (headlight control, lane detection, traffic sign recognition and vehicle detection & classification for automatic emergency braking), with focus on improved pedestrian detection functionality as this becomes a key safety target throughout Europe and the United States.

Alois Seewald, global director for integrated active and passive safety technologies said: "We'll be able to bundle a wide range of safety features into a single sensor – offering an attractive and affordable solution for multiple vehicle segments. Additionally, the camera will be capable of meeting the sensing requirements to enable low speed automatic emergency braking."

The development is a continuation of the successful partnership between TRW and Mobileye in place for TRW's current production S-Cam forward-looking camera, available today in the European and Asian markets and within the next year in the US market.

Seewald concluded: "The video camera is an extremely versatile driver assist systems sensor because it can classify a wide range of relevant objects. This information can then be processed and used with other driver assist functions, or integrated with other sensors. Due to its 'multi-tasking' capability and the fact that it offers a scalable solution to integrate multiple convenience and safety functions within one unit, we have received significant interest and a number of production contracts from passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturers."

About TRW

With 2011 sales of $16.2 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 26 countries and employs over 60,000 people worldwide.  TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services.  All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated. TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at www.trw.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  All forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (our "Form 10-K"), and our Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012 and June 29, 2012, such as: any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; any shortage of specialty resins, castings or other supplies causing a production disruption for any customers or us; general economic conditions causing a material contraction in automotive sales and production adversely affecting our results or the viability of our supply base; the unsuccessful implementation of our current expansion efforts adversely impacting our business and results; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; increasing costs negatively impacting our profitability; the loss of any of our largest customers materially adversely affecting us; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic and political uncertainty in some regions, adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; any inability to protect our intellectual property rights adversely affecting our business or our competitive position; costs of product liability, warranty and recall claims and efforts by customers to adversely alter contract terms and conditions concerning warranty and recall participation; costs or liabilities relating to environmental, health and safety regulations adversely affecting our results; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or at the facilities of our customers or suppliers adversely affecting our operations; any disruption in our information technology systems adversely impacting our business and operations; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our Form 10-K and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any update or revision to any of the forward-looking statements.   

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.