German automaker Mercedes-Benz is laying the groundwork for a new, forward-looking safety concept - a 'vehicle with reflexes.'
Subsequent to its remarkable success in the car occupant protection arena, the Stuttgart-based automaker will concentrate more strongly in the future on anticipatory recognition and the prevention of accidents. At present, the German automaker is developing intelligent driver assistance systems that use stereo cameras and radar sensors to monitor the area surrounding the vehicle.
These systems also have the ability to make predictive interpretations of dangerous driving situations and then deliver timely warnings to drivers, the automaker revealed. The systems are also engineered to intervene autonomously if there is imminent danger. The developed systems will be mated to trusted auto parts such as the , engines, seatbelts, airbags, and more to produce safer product lines.
"Several years ago, we introduced PRE-SAFE, which gave the vehicle certain 'reflexes,' so to speak," said Dr. Thomas Weber, the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes Car Group Development. "In the future, we will also give cars the ability to 'see' and 'think.' It's always been a matter of policy for us to develop vehicles capable of withstanding the most severe crash tests. However, it makes much more sense to prevent accidents from occurring in the first place - which is exactly what we're working on in the interest of all traffic participants."
In the future, the German automaker will continue to base the development of its safety systems on real-life accident statistics and data from its own accident research activities. The concentration of the study will be on intersections, sharp curves, and construction sites. To note, these locations are the site of approximately one-third of all serious accidents that occur in Germany.
Other issues to be resolved in the formulation of new driver assistance systems include the most frequent causes of accidents like driver fatigue, speed, and lane departure. Mercedes-Benz will also further enhance occupant protection through preventive measures and by networking active and passive safety systems.
Systems developed by Mercedes-Benz have been helping to improve road safety for many years now. The invention of ESP, which lessens the risk of skidding and makes it easier for drivers to handle crucial situations, has resulted to a sustained improvement in traffic safety.
The most recent German accident statistics confirm that since ESP was launched as standard equipment, Mercedes passenger cars have been involved in accidents much less frequently than models of other brands. Since 1999, the share of driver-related collisions in all accidents involving newly registered Mercedes models has declined by more than 42 percent.
Studies show that more than 20,000 accidents could be avoided each year in if all passenger cars were equipped with ESP. The Electronic Stability Program has now consequently joined seatbelts, airbags, and ABS as one of the most important safety systems in modern passenger cars. Still, only around 40 percent of all new cars in are currently equipped with this technology.
The Brake Assist system has also proved to be a very useful technology for avoiding accidents. After the introduction of BAS as standard equipment, the share of total accidents accounted for by rear-end collisions dropped by eight percent for Mercedes vehicles, but remained nearly unchanged for all other brands. The Brake Assist also resulted to a 13 percent reduction in the proportion of serious accidents involving pedestrians.
The German automaker said that the company will continue to base the development of its driver assistance systems on real-life accident statistics, and will utilize new technologies to focus more strongly on the phase immediately preceding an accident.
