Mercedes-Benz has augmented its driver assistance systems with new functions which are now able to support the driver in a broader range of situations. Using advanced sensor technology, they are able to monitor the area around the vehicle, providing the driver with warnings and support, and reducing driver workload. Mercedes-Benz calls the combination of sensors and systems to support these systems “Intelligent Drive”.
Mercedes-Benz recently previewed its next-generation intelligent safety and driver assistance systems for the next S-Class, which will make its own debut next year, at an “Intelligent Drive” TecDay in Stuttgart.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, noted that the intelligent assistance systems of the future will be able to analyze complex situations and recognize potential dangers out on the road with the aid of improved environment sensor systems even more accurately than today. “Figuratively speaking,” he said, “the next S-Class won’t just have eyes at the front; it will have 360-degree all-round vision.” Of crucial importance in this respect is the networking of all systems, or “sensor fusion”.
The new systems hold tremendous potential for either preventing accidents or mitigating their consequences, according to Prof. Weber.
Take, for instance, the new BAS PLUS assistance system with Cross-Traffic Assist. The results of our accident research based on the data from the GIDAS (German In-Depth Accident Study) indicate that it could either prevent or lessen the severity of 27% of all accidents at road junctions resulting in personal injury. That equates to some 20,000 accidents a year in Germany alone.
—Thomas Weber
The new assistance systems—and those with notably enhanced functionality—include:
- DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist helps the driver to guide the vehicle in its lane and can follow the vehicle in front in slow-moving traffic automatically.
- For the first time, the Brake Assist system BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist is able to detect cross traffic and also pedestrians, and if necessary boost the braking power applied by the driver accordingly.
- PRE-SAFE Brake can detect pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking to avoid a collision at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph).
- PRE-SAFE PLUS can recognize an imminent rear-end collision, prompting the PRE-SAFE system to trigger occupant protection measures. It can also firmly apply the stationary vehicle’s brakes in the event of a rear-end collision to prevent secondary accidents.
- With PRE-SAFE Impulse, the driver and front passenger are pulled away from the direction of impact by their seat belts at an early phase of the crash before the resulting occupant deceleration starts to increase. This can substantially reduce the risk and severity of injuries in a frontal collision
- Active Lane Keeping Assist can detect oncoming traffic and when the adjacent lane is not clear, and prevent the vehicle from leaving its lane unintentionally by applying the brakes on one side.
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS allows the main-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling traffic by masking out other vehicles in the beams’ cone of light.
- Night View Assist PLUS can alert the driver to the potential danger posed by pedestrians or animals in unlit areas in front of the vehicle by automatically switching from the speedometer display to a crystal-sharp night view image and highlighting the source of danger. A spotlight function is furthermore able to flash at pedestrians detected ahead.
- ATTENTION ASSIST can warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness in an extended speed range and notify the driver of their current state of fatigue and the driving time since the last break, as well as offering an adjustable sensitivity setting.
