Upcoming Technologies from Mercedes
Mercedes-Benz has always been on the leading edge of automotive innovations. The future will be no different.
Mercedes and Daimler-Benz have been innovators ever since they first opened their doors back in the last part of the 19th Century. Their list of firsts is impressive: First automobile, first woman driver, first company to implement crash testing for safety. The list goes on and on. Let’s take a look at some of their technological innovation since the turn of the century and see what’s on the horizon from Stuttgart.
Mercedes-Benz was the First to Start Eliminating Mechanical Locks
Just before we turned into the 21st Century, Mercedes-Benz introduced SmartKey, eliminating mechanical locks and enhancing vehicle security. You may refer to this feature as “the chip key.” These are keys with small radio frequency chips in them that communicate with electronics in the car to enable or disable the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz Introduces Pre-Safe
In keeping with their corporate focus on safety innovations, in 2002 Mercedes-Benz introduced Pre-Safe. This is a system that can detect when a crash is going to occur and automatically snugs the seatbelts and adjusts the headrest to provide optimal head safety. This system works in conjunction with other systems, such as ESP (stability control). When sensors detect that loss of vehicle control has occurred or is imminent, the steps outlined above are taken. It’ll even close windows to enhance your safety.
Adding to this system is an innovation from 2006: Distronic Plus with Pre-Safe Brake. This is a safety system that “keeps an eye” on its surroundings and is capable of taking certain actions when deemed necessary. For example, even if adaptive cruise control isn’t enabled, the system will alert the driver and start slowing the vehicle down if it detects you approaching a car in front too quickly.
Driving long distances or late at night? 2010’s Attention Assist is just what you need. This system will monitor the driver for the first few minutes of a trip and then sound alert tones if driver drowsiness is detected (IE, head slumping forward).
What Tech Innovations Does the Future Hold?
Where to start? How about having DICE in your car? Dynamic & Intuitive Control Experience is gesture control — move your hands and body, and sensors determine what you want. It’ll even incorporate a live feed from your social network of choice.
Mercedes-Benz is currently testing autonomous automobiles. Imagine driving to work without ever touching the steering wheel or pedals. This is much closer than many think, with many pundits saying the first one will be available by 2020 or earlier.