• Company Mission
• Key CSR Concept
• Development/Supply of Socially/Environmentally Beneficial Products
• FY2007 Topics

Company President
Yoshinori Suzuki

As a specialist of automotive electronics including automotive components and systems, AEC's mission is to help build a sustainable car-oriented society by enhancing automobile performance in terms of safety, comfort and environmental conservation.

Aiming to realize the OMRON founder's dream of a collision-free car, AEC seeks to meet the highest standards for quality, functionality and reliability, everywhere in the world.

With people's lives in the balance, AEC is committed to quality assurance for safety

Because automobile safety is a life or death issue, safety is an absolute prerequisite for any product at AEC. In the development and production of automotive components and systems, even minor errors may lead to a serious accident. Aware of this, AEC works hand-in-hand with suppliers to ensure uniform high quality throughout the world and deliver constant improvements. In doing so, AEC emphasizes collaboration across all global sites in addition to individual efforts at each site.

AEC's R&D efforts revolve around the basic movements of travel, turn and stop, which form the base of automotive safety. These efforts have led to various developments for improving driving safety and comfort, including technology for detecting the car ahead and technology for detecting the condition of the driver. AEC is also active in the development of environmentally sound technologies, such as an electric power steering system that, unlike a conventional hydraulic system, operates only when necessary for improved fuel efficiency.

With a high percentage of employees working abroad, AEC's goal is to realize a single global management team. Aiming to meet this goal, AEC strives to respect and capitalize on the diversity of employees by actively instilling awareness of human rights and compliance across the Group.

Sensing driver eye movements to detect inattentive driving or dozing at the wheel

Proprietary 2D image analysis technology senses the face orientation and blinking patterns of the driver to assist safer driving

In October 2007, AEC developed a driver monitor sensor capable of detecting when a driver takes his eyes off the road or is likely to doze off, a situation that often leads to a car accident. Once a driver's face is prerecorded with the onboard camera, the sensor uses OMRON's proprietary 2D image analysis technology to detect the driver's eye movements and blinking patterns. If the driver's eyes close or are diverted from the travel direction for a significant period of time, the system can determine that an abnormal driving situation may develop.

This technology can also provide a hands-free interface for operating the car radio, navigation system and other onboard devices without the use of the hands. It does this by determining the orientation of the driver's face or changes in eye movements, for greater driving safety and comfort. To contribute to the creation of a sustainable car-oriented society, AEC will promote deployment of a driving-assistance system embedded with its monitor sensor to automotive manufacturers.

※ Source: Metropolitan police statistics (2006)

Engineers from ten countries discuss quality with the watchword of "Accept each other, compete with each other"

International quality conference in which quality assurance managers from all over the world discuss common quality issues

The assurance of uniform high quality worldwide is the highest priority at AEC, which produces electronic components essential for determining the safety of automobiles at 11 sites worldwide (2 in Japan and 9 overseas). As such, AEC aims to employ the same quality control techniques and ensure consistent high quality anywhere in the world, regardless of language, culture or difference in value perceptions. To this end, an international quality conference is held every year, in which managers can work together to unify quality-consciousness at the global level, solve common issues, and improve quality-related skills. Quality assurance managers from all sites around the world attend the conference. During fiscal 2007, participants discussed the system to share information at all sites.

To involve suppliers in AEC's efforts to ensure quality, site-specific joint quality improvement initiatives were implemented together with local suppliers in respective regions. As part of these efforts, personnel dealing with parts quality from all sites assemble to exchange views. In April and November during fiscal 2007, AEC conducted quality audits at the new production base in China, and promoted an exchange of opinions among those responsible for parts quality.

Moreover, quality assurance specialists from Japan visit various production sites in the world from time to time to teach necessary technologies and skills related to quality. With the watchword of "Accept each other, compete with each other," all AEC Group production sites are working in tandem to improve quality.

Development of cutting-edge technologies for a collision-free car

AEC new technologies for automotive safety and comfort demonstrated at Tokyo Motor Show 2007

AEC has introduced a variety of electronic components and systems to contribute to safer, more comfortable and environmentally conscious driving. The 3rd generation laser radar ("LIDAR") sensor launched in 2005 is a key element for systems designed for automotive safety and comfort. Examples include the adaptive cruise control system that keeps the distance between cars at an appropriate level, and the pre-crash safety system that anticipates a potential crash and performs necessary actions to minimize damage. Another AEC development is a high-dynamic range CMOS camera that provides significantly higher dynamic range in high and low lighting conditions, for improved visibility in tunnels, intense backlight settings and after dark. The camera can sense white lane lines or obstacles even more accurately than the driver in difficult conditions. Also under study are pedestrian recognition technology and technology that can predict by a pedestrian's movement whether he or she may suddenly dart out into traffic.

AEC unveiled its driver monitor sensor and other new technologies at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007, introducing visitors to the potential of future cars.

AEC is determined to contribute to a safe and sustainable car–oriented society by providing innovative automotive components toward the ultimate goal of creating a collision-free car.