The technological centre of Galicia's automotive hosts the first Regional meeting of eSafety

The Technological centre of Galicia's automotive, CTAG, has become the headquarters of the first Regional meeting of eSafety, a European initiative that was born in order to increase safety on the road through the information technology and communication (ICT).

In this meeting was reflected the current state of the eSafety initiative in Spain and exposed the next steps of the program in the Iberian Peninsula. Luis Moreno, Director of CTAG, expressed its appreciation to the Xunta de Galicia through the Ministry of industry, for the support received in his bid for technological innovation. Moreno stated that "the fact that Galicia is home to this meeting and the participation of the Centre in projects such as the 7th programme framework will allow that the automotive industry of the leap from the point of view of application and technological recognition"

For its part, Salustiano Mato, Director General of r & d of the Xunta, pointed out that the new Galician plan of r & d is paying special attention to innovation in technologies of information and communication (ICT) and especially through initiatives taken since CTAG. Mato said that if all vehicles were equipped with eCall (emergency warning system), it is estimated that it could reach a reduction in the number of deaths of between 5 and 10% in the EU, which would mean a saving of up to 22 billion euros a year. "The programs of electronic stability (ESP) reduce accidents by an average of 20%." "Lateral support system could prevent 1,500 accidents in 2010 with a rate of only 0.6%, while a rate of introduction of 0.7 per cent by 2020 could reduce the number of accidents in 14,000", said the General Director of the Xunta.

Jacob Bangsgaard, responsible for the eSafety Support project, stated "that the reason why have chosen Galician as the venue for this meeting lies in the specific weight of automotive in the Community industry". Bangsgaard also believed that "the eSafety initiative is a project that needs the involvement of all the hearings and that aims to educate the public of the importance of incorporating safety systems to the car to reduce the number of fatalities in accidents". Initiatives of CTAG in recent months CTAG has turned in the development of the area of electronics and HMI and currently this immersed in various projects to improve the safety, comfort and the possibilities of communication drivers and passengers of the vehicle. Jacob Bangsgaard, responsible for the eSafety Support project, justified the holding of this meeting in CTAG by the weight of automotive in Galicia Salustiano Mato, Director Xeral of r & d industry, noted that the new Galician plan of innovation attaches special importance to ICT particularly through initiatives taken since CTAG

The European eSafety programme promotes the reduction of accidents with road mortality through technology Francisco Sánchez, Director of innovation of CTAG, noted that 40,000 people annually die in Europe and aims to halve this figure by 2010. This highlighted the bet CTAG is doing for security. "Currently, CTAG has a multi-disciplinary Department of thirty people with knowledge in electronics, software and HMI". Sanchez noted that in addition to participating in various European projects, CTAG has own projects that will be presented this year. He announced that a driving simulator in the month of October at the World Congress on intelligent vehicles to be held in London will be ready at the end of July, CTAG will present the prototype with advanced safety and driving support functions.

From left to right: Jacob Bangsgaard, responsible for the eSafety Support project; salustiano Mato, Director Xeral of r & d; Luis Moreno, Director General of CTAG and Francisco Sánchez, Director of innovation of CTAG.