ArvinMeritor Unveils ‘Smart System’ Strategy

Sept. 11, 2007
ArvinMeritor, Inc. today announced its commitment to enhance vehicle system performance through the use of electronics and control technologies, or "smart systems" within the company's Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group.

ArvinMeritor, Inc. today announced its commitment to enhance vehicle system performance through the use of electronics and control technologies, or "smart systems" within the company's Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group. This product strategy will ensure ArvinMeritor's current product portfolio is ready and fully optimized for the dramatic product evolution that will continue as functional needs and benefits increase.

"Applying smart systems thinking within our current product portfolio resulted in identification of several opportunities to extend current competencies into new product categories through the application of electronics and controls," said Tom Watson, vice president, Engineering and Technical Planning for LVS. "Our traditional mechanical products are taking on new form and function at the component and system levels."

An initial smart systems program is the company's Low Energy Release latch, unveiled today during the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. By combining proprietary electronic software with an inventive mechanical solution, ArvinMeritor reduced the number of latch parts by 50 percent, and enhanced component performance by adding several features and benefits unavailable in a traditional latch design such as reduced component size, silent locking and latching operations, increased design flexibility and tunable door handle feel for brand alignment.