LOCKE TOWNSHIP, Mich., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE: TRW), is demonstrating its semi-automated driving capabilities for customers and the media at the Company's vehicle test track event in Locke Township, Michigan, today. Drivers will be able to experience a 'Highway Driving Assist' feature which can enable automatic steering, braking and acceleration for highway speeds above 25 mph.

Peter Lake, executive vice president, Sales and Business Development at TRW commented: "Progress towards semi-automated and automated driving has gained huge momentum over the last 12 to 18 months as the industry is recognizing the vast benefits it could deliver. For example, with distracted driving becoming a major concern and the majority of accidents being caused by human error, semi-automated systems could help to reduce fatalities and enhance the safety of passengers and other road users.(1)

"The first steps have already been taken to introduce semi-automated features such as traffic jam assist on production vehicles but we believe it will be some time before fully autonomous cars become commonplace. There is still a lot of work to be done, including determining legislative frameworks. At TRW, we're following a building block approach showcasing what is achievable today using proven technology.

The demonstration vehicle integrates TRW's AC1000 radar and next generation camera prototype together with its Electrically Powered Steering Belt Drive (EPS BD) and Electronic Stability Control EBC 460 - the combination of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Centering Assist (LCA) functionalities. The ACC keeps the vehicle at a set speed until a slower vehicle appears in front or if another car cuts across the lane. It then automatically accelerates and/or brakes the vehicle to keep a driver-selected gap (constant time interval) behind the slower vehicle. At the same time, the forward looking camera keeps the car in the center of the lane. The driver can easily override the system at any time.

Lake continued: "The TRW prototype vehicle represents a milestone in systems integration - one of TRW's core capabilities as the only complete safety systems supplier worldwide. The beauty of these technologies is their flexible, or scalable nature - the same sensing hardware can be used for different functions to suit vehicle manufacturer requirements. For example, the driver assist hardware on the vehicle could also enable Emergency Steering Assist functionality.

"At a later stage, we'll be showcasing a 360 degree sensor system which will also enable vehicles to automatically overtake (lane change control). The next decade represents a huge opportunity to improve not only the driving experience, but fundamentally road safety."

About TRW

With 2013 sales of $17.4 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 24 countries and employs approximately 65,000 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (our "Form 10-K") and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2014, and June 27, 2014, such as: economic conditions adversely affecting our business, results or the viability of our supply base; risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including economic and political uncertainty in some regions, adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; the unsuccessful implementation of our current expansion efforts adversely impacting our business or results; any developments related to antitrust investigations adversely affecting our financial condition, results, cash flows or reputation; pricing pressures from our customers adversely affecting our profitability; global competition adversely affecting our sales, profitability or financial condition; any disruption in our information technology systems adversely impacting our business and operations; any shortage of supplies causing a production disruption for any customers or us; the loss of any of our largest customers or a significant amount of their business, or a significant decline in their production levels, adversely affecting us; strengthening of the U.S. dollar and other foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations impacting our results; our contingent liabilities and tax matters causing us to incur losses or costs; any inability to protect our intellectual property rights adversely affecting our business or our competitive position; commodity inflationary pressures adversely affecting our profitability or supply base; costs or adverse effects on our business, reputation or results from governmental regulations; work stoppages or other labor issues at our facilities or those of our customers or others in our supply chain adversely affecting our business, results or financial condition; 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.

(1) According to a study by NHTSA and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes are due to driver distraction.

SOURCE TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.