LIVONIA, Mich., Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: [ TRW ]), is developing a new Electronic Horn System (EHS) which is activated by touching a conductive area on the steering wheel airbag cover.

(Photo: [ http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120912/DE72163 ] )

The technology offers a number of benefits including improved visual appearance, enhanced functionality, lower actuation forces and fewer components compared with conventional horn systems.

Guido Hirzmann, group leader, new technology, Mechatronic, commented: "Classic vehicle horn systems can be bulky and expensive. Our new EHS includes a significant reduction of components like springs, silver contact, screws, fixation clips and more. Furthermore, there are no moving parts, allowing the driver airbag to be fixed directly into the steering wheel -- resulting in an improved fit and symmetry."

Special coatings enable the airbag cover to be turned into a 3D electrical conductive surface. This can detect the position of a finger or hand and send a signal to an ECU, resulting in the horn actuation. No force is required to activate the system.

The unique design of the cover also helps to prevent the horn being activated by accident. The system is a 3D design spanning the entire airbag cover with the sensor integrated into a defined area. Using smaller sensor fields connected to the ECU, it is possible to detect if the driver's hand approaches the cover from the side (accidentally), or from the top (activation by the driver).

"We have chosen this capacitive solution partly because more and more electronic devices are using the technology, making it very familiar to many users, including younger occupants. A similar concept could also be integrated into surfaces near to the fingers of the driver to incorporate a 'greeting horn', or into multifunction switches or any other function. Several vehicle manufacturers are showing interest," concluded Hirzmann.

TRW expects that its EHS will be ready for production in 2014.

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.

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TRW Develops Electronic Horn System

TRW Develops Electronic Horn System