Mercedes-Benz Driver Assistance Systems: The Next Step

The new S-Class: the next level of Intelligent Drive

Sindelfingen, May 2, 2017 – With new and considerably extended driver assistance functions, the new S-Class will be taking another major step towards the future of autonomous driving. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist now support the driver even more conveniently in keeping a safe distance and steering, and vehicle speed can now also be automatically adjusted in bends and at road junctions. Also included are Active Emergency Stop Assist and a considerably improved Active Lane Change Assist.

“The new S-Class raises Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive to the next level,” says Dr. Michael Hafner, Head of Automated Driving and Active Safety at Mercedes-Benz. “We are approaching the goal of automated driving more purposefully and faster than many people suspect. The new S-Class will be able to support its driver considerably better than all systems that have been available to date.”

The new S-Class has an even better view of the traffic situation: improved camera and radar systems will allow it to look further up ahead than before. It also uses a substantially broader scope of map and navigation data. These functions include:

  • Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, which is able to assist the driver in many situations, even on a route-specific basis and comfortably adjust the vehicle speed
  • Active Speed Limit Assist, which automatically adapts the vehicle’s speed to identified speed limits in conjunction with COMAND® Navigation
  • Active Steering Assist has been noticeably improved across its entire performance spectrum, resulting in markedly enhanced customer benefits
  • Active Lane Change Assist assists the driver in a convenient and cooperative manner when making lane changes
  • Active Emergency Stop Assist brakes the vehicle to a standstill in its lane if it detects that the driver is no longer actively driving the vehicle while it is on the move with Active Steering Assist engaged
  • Active Parking Assist The driver is also able to see at a glance which assistance functions have been selected, and which situations the systems are reacting to at the given moment. Icons – for example, a steering wheel with hands on both sides – give information both on the screen and in the Head Up Display. All functions can now be controlled from the new steering wheel.

Mercedes-Benz will introduce the next generation of driver assistance systems with the facelifted S-Class. The scope of automated driving functions has been expanded in line with practical needs and now provides enhanced, tangible customer benefits on virtually all types of roads.

As a pioneer of automotive safety, Mercedes-Benz pursues research in this field with a rigor unmatched by any other automotive brand. Director of Driver Assistance Systems and Active Safety Dr. Michael Hafner: “We have always programmed the software for the assistance functions in-house. This means that we are able to implement new ideas very quickly.”

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz

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