Title: Mercedes-Benz’s Journey Towards Accident-Free Cars: A Testament to Safety Innovation
Introduction
Mercedes-Benz has set an ambitious goal to achieve zero car accidents by 2050. While this may seem like an impossible feat, the automaker is actively working towards this vision. Recently, Mercedes conducted the first-known crash test between two electric vehicles, showcasing their commitment to safety innovation. This article explores the significance of this crash test and delves into Mercedes’ broader efforts to create a future without accidents.
The Crash Test: A Critical Step Towards Accident-Proof Electric Cars
Mercedes-Benz performed a head-on crash test between its EQS SUV and EQA crossover SUV. The test involved a 50% frontal overlap at a speed of 56 kph (35 mph), surpassing the standards set by safety rating agencies. Although both vehicles were destroyed, their passenger cells and high-voltage battery packs remained completely intact. This test aimed to replicate real-life accident scenarios and pave the way for improved safety measures.
Challenges on the Path to Zero Accidents
As Mercedes-Benz strives for a future without accidents, it acknowledges the complex challenges ahead. Currently, there are approximately 1.3 million road deaths worldwide annually, equivalent to 12 large airplanes full of people each day. While the automaker aspires to have none of its vehicles involved in accidents by 2050, there are bound to be uncontrollable variables that can lead to accidents, especially in a world with both human-driven and autonomous vehicles.
The Role of Experimental Safety Vehicles
To address the uncertainties of the future, Mercedes-Benz has created The Mercedes-Benz ESF program, which focuses on designing experimental safety vehicles. These vehicles explore new technologies and designs to improve safety. By embracing innovation, Mercedes aims to create a comprehensive safety ecosystem that addresses potential risks posed by uncontrolled factors, such as falling tree branches. Communication between vehicles and their environment, including pedestrians and other drivers, is crucial to achieving accident-free roads.
Current Safety Measures and Future Possibilities
Mercedes-Benz has implemented a four-phase approach to manage safety measures in their vehicles. The assist phase utilizes active safety technologies such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitors. The preparation phase is activated when sensors detect an imminent crash, activating seat belt tensioners, pre-charging airbags, and adjusting the vehicle’s suspension. The protection phase involves airbags deployment, including innovative rear airbags for rear seat passengers. Finally, the help phase alerts nearby individuals and emergency services of an accident, providing immediate assistance.
Preparing for an Autonomous Future
As autonomous driving technology evolves, Mercedes is proactively preparing for a future where vehicles can communicate with their external environment. Through the use of teal lighting elements and potentially even graphic displays or live images, autonomous vehicles will enhance their interaction with pedestrians and other road users. The Mercedes-Benz FSE 2019 concept integrated many of these forward-looking features, including a reimagined seating position for autonomous driving.
Conclusion
Mercedes-Benz’s vision of an accident-free future is certainly ambitious. The recent crash test between two electric vehicles showcases the automaker’s commitment to safety innovation and its determination to push the boundaries of vehicle protection. However, the journey towards zero accidents is complex, especially in a world with a mix of human-driven and autonomous vehicles. By creating experimental safety vehicles, implementing advanced safety measures, and preparing for an autonomous future, Mercedes-Benz strives to redefine safety standards. While achieving zero accidents by 2050 may be challenging, the efforts made by Mercedes-Benz to minimize risks and protect occupants are commendable.
Additional Piece: Exploring the Future of Vehicle Safety
As the automotive industry continues to embrace technological advancements, the future of vehicle safety holds immense potential. Beyond crash tests and safety features, there are several key areas where innovation is expected to transform road safety:
1. Connected Infrastructure: The development of smart cities and connected infrastructure can greatly contribute to accident prevention. By integrating vehicles with traffic management systems, road conditions, and real-time data, the chances of accidents caused by human error can be drastically reduced.
2. Advanced Sensor Technology: Future vehicles will rely on advanced sensor technology, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, to perceive their surroundings with enhanced accuracy. Combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, these sensors can detect potential risks in real-time and assist drivers in making split-second decisions.
3. Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication: Seamless communication between vehicles can significantly enhance safety on the roads. V2V technology allows vehicles to exchange information regarding speed, position, and potential hazards, enabling them to coordinate actions and avoid collisions.
4. Autonomous Driving: The widespread adoption of autonomous driving technology has the potential to revolutionize road safety. With self-driving vehicles eliminating human error and utilizing advanced sensors and artificial intelligence, the number of accidents caused by human factors can be dramatically reduced.
5. Data-driven Insights: Gathering and analyzing large amounts of vehicle data can provide valuable insights into accident patterns and help develop effective preventive measures. With the advent of real-time telematics and connected systems, automotive manufacturers can continuously improve safety features and tailor them to specific road conditions.
Summary
Mercedes-Benz’s recent crash test, conducted with two electric vehicles, demonstrates the automaker’s commitment to creating accident-proof cars. While the goal of zero accidents by 2050 may prove challenging due to various factors, Mercedes aims to pioneer safety innovations that minimize risks and protect occupants. Through experimental safety vehicles, advanced safety measures, and preparations for an autonomous future, Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront of driving towards a safer tomorrow. Continued advancements in connected infrastructure, sensor technology, V2V communication, autonomous driving, and data analysis will further revolutionize vehicle safety, bringing us closer to the vision of accident-free roads.
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Mercedes-Benz imagines a future with zero car accidentsand their goal is to reach that milestone by 2050. It’s a tall order.
On Tuesday, the automaker took the next steps toward that future by conducting the first known crash test between two electric vehicles in front of journalists. It was loud and violent, exactly as expected.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and EQA crash test
Accident-proof electric cars
A crash test seems counterintuitive to a future without car accidents, but the future without accidents is a long way off. This test reconstructed what could happen on the path to zero accidents.
The crash test, which was carried out between a EQS SUV and EQA crossover SUV, was a head-on crash with a 50% frontal overlap and both cars were traveling at 56 kph (35 mph). Notably, this scenario surpasses any standardized crash tests performed by the agencies responsible for rating vehicle safety.
While both vehicles were destroyed, the passenger cells and high-voltage battery packs were completely intact. In other words, the vehicles performed no worse or were no less safe than a gasoline-powered Mercedes.
Mercedes planned to do a roof crush test the next day by dropping the crashed EQS onto the roof, as only the front end sustained damage during the current test.
The accident marked the automaker’s next step in crash testing with the rollout of the electric future.
Mercedes-Benz FSE vehicles
A future without accidents?
The goal is to minimize accidents to zero, but the reality is uncertain.
Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Safety Director Paul Dick said that today there are 1.3 million road deaths each year worldwide. That’s equivalent to 12 large airplanes full of people every day. According to Dick, Mercedes aims to have none of its vehicles involved in an accident by 2050, but that might not be possible.
Julien Richert is in charge of The Mercedes-Benz ESF program, which creates experimental safety vehicles that explore new designs and technologies in the name of safety. Richert told Motor Authority that as long as we live in a world of mixed vehicles (referring to human-driven vehicles and autonomous vehicles) there will be uncontrolled variables that cause accidents. Even in an autonomous world, there are uncontrollable and unavoidable problems, such as a falling tree branch, Richert said.
Vehicles of the future will need to communicate with the outside environment, both in terms of pedestrians and other drivers. For now, this will take the form of teal lighting elements in Mercedes driving driver vehicles while operating in autonomous mode. In the future, these could be windows that display graphics or even live images.
In preparation for an autonomous future, the Mercedes-Benz FSE 2019 The concept employed most of these possible features. It also took into account a different seating position for autonomous driving, in which the seat belt moved to the seat itself instead of being mounted on a pillar as it is in most current vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz EQS crashed
Mercedes-Benz EQS safety body
Handling shock situations today
Today, regardless of the powertrain, Mercedes is managing safety measures in four phases.
Phase 1 is the assist phase and uses active safety technology such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitors, automatic emergency braking, and the hands-free autonomous Drive Pilot system.
Phase 2 is the preparation phase, which is activated when the vehicle’s sensors detect that a crash will occur. The windows roll up, the seat belt tensioners are tensioned, the air bags are pre-charged before deployment and, if equipped with air or hydraulic suspension, the vehicle will lift the side that is about to experience the impact to raise and distance the occupants from the energy force.
Phase 3 is the protection phase and involves all airbags deploying inside the vehicle. He S-Class 2021 A rear airbag mounted in the backrests of the front seats was introduced for rear seat passengers. That concept was introduced in the FSE 2019 concept and then put into production.
Phase 4 is the help phase, and is when the system activates to alert those near and far that a vehicle has been in an accident. The emergency lights turn on automatically, in an electric vehicle the high voltage electrical system will automatically go into emergency shutdown mode and the vehicle will call an emergency call center where an operator will assist you speaking the default language you have chosen . your Mercedes-Benz.
All Mercedes-Benz vehicles feature a black box (which is actually yellow) mounted at the most central point of the vehicle. It acts as the vehicle’s brain for all safety systems and Mercedes can recover accident data after the fact if necessary.
Today, Mercedes manufactures both gasoline and electric vehicles. With the latest crash test, the automaker has taken the next step in safety testing as it prepares its power lineup while looking toward a crash-free future.
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1141103_mercedes-crashes-two-electric-cars-eyes-accident-free-future
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