Integral vehicle safety combines active vehicle safety (measures to prevent accidents) and passive vehicle safety (measures to mitigate the consequences of accidents) and has long been an integral part of automotive development.

In the early stages of this holistic approach towards vehicle safety, development was focused on the integration of the passenger cell, for example the integration of restraint systems (seatbelts, airbags). Today, this discipline aims to provide comprehensive protection for vehicle occupants and other vulnerable road users and, ideally, to prevent accidents altogether.

Technical development is proceeding at a rapid pace, increasing not only the complexity of components and systems, but also the requirements and regulations. With more than 40 years of expertise in the field of active, passive and integral safety, Bertrandt offers you expert and interdisciplinary expert knowledge throughout the entire product life cycle.

Even at this early stage, we define cross-sections, create the space required for targeted deformations and the energy conversion that this enables. In this phase, we also define the type and number of safety components such as sensors, seatbelts and airbags.

Examples of services in the field of vehicle structure development – interior equipment:

• Complete seat development
• Cockpit development
• Trim
• Lighting design
• Dimensional management

Body Development Interior

Managed by experienced project engineers, the measures necessary to achieve the project objectives are worked out in the further course of development, after which they are checked and improved through simulation and then implemented in geometry and software.

In each case, the goal is to ensure the robust behavior of all the functions developed. This is done by using standard tools such as Catia, Ramsis, the 3DExperience platform (e.g. Simulia), NX, PamCrash or LS Dyna.

In order to validate the solutions developed, precisely tailored test plans are drawn up for each project and these are implemented on schedule at our numerous testing facilities. We provide all the tests necessary to ensure vehicle safety – from standardized component tests, such as airbag tests or specially developed test set-ups for examining special functional characteristics, to sled tests and complete vehicle crash tests. All from a single source.

Examples of our services in the validation of safety functions:

• Functional and sensor tests for occupant and partner protection
• Crash load case and substitute tests
• Airbag testing and dummy tests
• Consulting service provider and type approval test agency

Examples of our services in the validation of ADAS/ADS functions:

• Driving functions (e.g. ABS, ESC, ACC with Stop & Go, AEB, ELK)
• Regulatory requirements, e.g. UN-ECE, ISO standards
• Consumer protection requirements, e.g. EuroNCAP, ChinaNCAP, IIHS

We carry out testing at all locations and with all our own equipment according to current and also future national and international standards. 

Bertrandt has a large number of in-house, state-of-the-art test rigs, including:

• E-Liner slide / component slide
• Airbag test
• Low-speed crash
• High-speed crash
• Pendulum tests
• FINAL (Force INdicated Assessment Tool) Tonne
• Seat test bench (strength tests)
• Seatbelt test benches
• Free Motion Headform (FMH)

Validation of ADAS functions

Our mobile test laboratory x-track

Standards, certifications, tools and equipment

Bertrandt has been training specialists in the field of vehicle safety for more than 15 years. In addition to further developing our own specialists, this also includes qualification on the open market.