Company
ASTO
AutoGuard S.A. is an official partner of the rallies organized by the Polish Motor Association as part of the Polish Motor Rally Championship.
To support the organizers and the drivers the Company has created the new application that controls the passage of the rally cars. The application called ASTO (AutoGuard Safety Tracking Operation) is based on the GPS technology.
How does it work?
The ASTO system allows for controlling of the passages of the vehicles that take part in a rally on special stages and on access roads to the special stages. The implementation of the system greatly improves the safety level of the competition. In case of an accident it shortens the reacion time of the emergency and technical services. In each starting car there are installed AutoGuard GPS devices together with a GPRS modem. The mode of operation is easy - GPS determines the position and through the GSM network transmits the data to the programme. The application processes received information and immediately projects the data on the computers' screens placed in the Rally Command Centre. Important is the fact that the GPS device is equipped with its own power supply and it does not interfere in any way with a vehicle's electric system. The time of a device installation in each car amounts to 3-5 minutes. The installation can be executed during the scrutineering and it does not disturb the preparation of a vehicle or a crew for a start.
Just in case
The ASTO system has worked out excellently as a tool improving the safety of the rally competitors and the spectators and as an information source for the fans. The car rallies are a dangerous sport for the participants and the carefree fans who watch the contest from unsecured places. The dangerous situations happen and in such cases the control of the racing cars is important. In the Rally Control Centre the organizers are able to precisely monitor the movements of the vehicles. The information about an accident or any other incident on a route is immediately transferred to the Rally Command Centre and the rescue operation can be started immediately. The system considerably shortens the reaction time, which in such situations is precious. The agreement between the Polish Motor Association and AutoGuard concludes that the ASTO system and the monitoring devices are delivered during the 2011 season to all rallies organized as part of the Polish Motor Rally Championship.
The Polish system conquers the European market
On the 1-3 October 2010 the ELPA Rally took place in Greece. The Rally was the 8th elimination of the European Championship and it was characterized by the highest 20th degree of difficulty. In the Rally the Polish safety system named ASTO (AutoGuard Safety Tracking Operation) based on the GPS technology was also inaugurated. This solution contributed to improving the safety of the Rally participants.
