Johnson Controls and Marquardt Integrate Vehicle Passive Access and Start System Into Body Controller

BURSCHEID, Germany, September 14 /PRNewswire/ --

- Easy Access and Start Control With PASS

Everyone knows the feeling at the end of a successful day of shopping when you are standing in front of the car without a free hand to search for the key. Wouldn't it be great if your car had a keyless access and start system? Two leading companies have collaborated to develop such a system - Marquardt, a leading company in electronic drive authorization systems and Johnson Controls, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive interiors, electronics and batteries. Johnson Controls and Marquardt are presenting a prototype at this year's International Motor Show (IAA).

"With PASS (Passive Access and Start System), the driver simply carries an identification device (ID) that enables him to enter or start the car without using a key," said Loick Griselain, Executive Director Product Management at Johnson Controls. The system identifies the user as soon as he or she approaches the car and unlocks the doors or the trunk. Unlike most existing systems, a separate PASS controller is no longer needed.

Now, through the unique partnership of these two companies, it is possible to integrate PASS directly into the body controller (Body Control Module) therefore helping automakers further reduce costs. The whole system has become less complex, which reduces cost, streamlines the electrical architecture, and simplifies testing. Since there is only one integrated component currently, it reduces the automaker's integration effort because he or she needs to consider fewer interfaces during system integration.

This innovation is currently available for all segments and could be integrated into next generation vehicles.

You will find the full press release with photos on http://www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk.

Further information is available from: Johnson Controls GmbH Automotive Experience Industriestr. 20-30 51399 Burscheid Germany Astrid Schafmeister Tel.: +49-2174-65-3189 Fax: +49-2174-65-3219 E-Mail: astrid.schafmeister@jci.com Ina Longwitz Tel.: +49-2174 65-4343 E-Mail: ina.longwitz@jci.com Marquardt GmbH Press and Public Relations Jasmin Rack Schloss-Str. 16 78604 Rietheim-Weilheim Tel. +49-7424-99-1231 Fax: +49-7424-99-2249 E-Mail: jasmin.rack@marquardt.de