Press Invitation: VUB Research Saves Lives on the Road with Innovative Blind Spot Sensors

Press Invitation: VUB Research Saves Lives on the Road with Innovative Blind Spot Sensors

The number of fatal accidents involving vulnerable road users in Flanders increased by 10% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Ninety-six victims lost their lives, marking the highest figure ever recorded. A significant cause is the rising number of blind spot accidents involving trucks. Safer vehicles are crucial to reversing this alarming trend. In response to this issue, eXia, a spin-off of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Imec, developed the Active Sideguard blind spot sensors for trucks. It is the world’s first warning system that utilizes low-frequency electric fields. On May 2, 2024, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel will present these innovative blind spot sensors.

Speakers Bart Truyen (Managing Director of eXia and VUB researcher), VUB Vice Rector-elect Peter Schelkens, and Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters will discuss the research and the importance of the Active Sideguard blind spot sensors. The functionality of the sensors will be demonstrated through a live demonstration involving a truck and a cyclist.


Practical Information

 

Where? Braem Building, VUB Campus, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Elsene (opposite entrance 11)

 

When? May 2, 2024


Program

  • 10:00 AM: Welcome
  • 10:15 AM: Opening speech by Vice Rector-elect Peter Schelkens
  • 10:20 AM: Speech by Minister Lydia Peeters
  • 10:25 AM: Presentation of the Active Sideguard sensor research by Bart Truyen
  • 10:45 AM: Demonstration with truck and cyclist + opportunity for interviews
  • 12:00 PM: Reception

We warmly invite the press to attend this event. Would you like to join us? Please confirm your attendance by April 29 via Leen.Vandevelde2@vub.be.

 

 

 

About Press - Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Vrije Universiteit Brussel is an internationally oriented university in Brussels, the heart of Europe. By providing excellent research and education on a human scale, VUB wants to make an active and committed contribution to a better society.

The World Needs You

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel assumes its scientific and social responsibility with love and decisiveness. That’s why VUB launched the platform De Wereld Heeft Je Nodig – The World Needs You, which brings together ideas, actions and projects based on six Ps. The first P stands for People, because that’s what it’s all about: giving people equal opportunities, prosperity, welfare, respect. Peace is about fighting injustice, big and small, in the world. Prosperity combats poverty and inequality. Planet stands for actions on biodiversity, climate, air quality, animal rights... With Partnership, VUB is looking for joint actions to make the world a better place. The sixth and last P is for Poincaré, the French philosopher Henri Poincaré, from whom VUB derives its motto that thinking should submit to nothing except the facts themselves. VUB is an ‘urban engaged university’, strongly anchored in Brussels and Europe and working according to the principles of free research.

www.vub.be/dewereldheeftjenodig

 


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