Mercedes Readies Safety Demonstration Vehicle

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit is developing an Experimental Safety Vehicle and will unveil it this summer.

The new demonstration model will showcase a host of semi-autonomous vehicle and advanced systems. Several of the technologies are “very close” to production, Mercedes-Benz research and development chief Ola Kalennius tells Motoring.

Noting that virtually all traffic accidents are caused by human error, Kalennius says autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems are key enablers to improve safety. He expects full autonomous vehicles will be introduced in geo-fenced city applications sometime next decade.

The previous Mercedes safety concept, ESF 2009, (pictured) was introduced in 2009. That vehicle featured improved braking, advanced side-impact airbags, vehicle-to-vehicle communications, and adaptive headlights that automatically spotlight pedestrians and other objects.