Friday, May 11, 2012

Can we learn from the auto industry?

System Approach to Prevent Safety and Quality Problems in Modern Automobiles
MIT SDM Systems Thinking Webinar Series
Qi Van Eikema Hommes, PhD
Research Associate and Lecturer, MIT Engineering Systems Division
Date: May 14, 2012
Time: Noon - 1 p.m., EDT
Open to all
About the Presentation 
Today’s automobiles are characterized by complex Cyber Physical Systems (CPS), where numerous embedded devices are networked to control physical hardware components. These systems are software intensive, and typically developed by globally distributed large multidisciplinary teams. Many such systems already experienced quality and safety problems that could not be traced back to component failures. One such example is the recent Toyota Unintended Acceleration case.
In this webinar, Dr. Hommes will address the recently published ISO 26262 Functional Safety for Road Vehicle, the industry’s first attempt at providing safety assurance for the complex automotive electronic systems. It is a positive first step, and a number of areas can be improved by taking on a more systems approach. A system theoretic hazard analysis method, developed by Professor Leveson at MIT, is applied to the Adaptive Cruise Control system design, illustrating one of the directions to improve the safety and quality of future automobiles.
About the Series
The MIT System Design and Management Program Systems Thinking Webinar Series features research conducted by SDM faculty, alumni, students, and industry partners. The series is designed to disseminate information on how to employ systems thinking to address engineering, management, and socio-political components of complex challenges.

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