TECHNOLOGY: “S” is for SAFETY SYSTEMS
During a busy midweek morning commute on Canada’s Ontario Highway 400 north of downtown Toronto, with traffic generally moving at freeway speeds but occasionally slowing and even coming to a stop, driving the new 2014 S-Class sedan, I experienced a new dimension in driving.
The stuff of science fiction
Cars that could drive themselves have long been the stuff of Popular Science magazine articles on the future, and only recently have we begun to argue about when and in what form such a future actually might start to materialize. But there I was, in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class that will begin appearing at the valet stations of the very best restaurants this fall, and it was accelerating, braking, and steering by itself, responding to changing road and traffic conditions around it.
But that wasn’t all it could do. The car I was driving not only could see in the dark, but could also determine that the vague silhouette ahead was a pedestrian, animal, or bush, and take appropriate actions necessary to warn or avoid hitting the obstacle. It could see bumps or potholes in the road ahead and extend or retract its suspension as long as necessary to keep the car level. Under nearly all circumstances, it could automatically apply as much braking power as needed to avoid hitting pedestrians or other cars. It could even sense an impending collision from a car in the rear and reduce repercussions.
Combining these new capabilities with those already introduced on previous Mercedes-Benz models, it is as if a new S-Class equipped with all the optional safety packages will exist in its own magic bubble, where accidents will almost never occur, and the ones that do will be as harmless as possible.
A car that can see and sense its surroundings
So what is new on this car that allows it to be aware of the world around it, evaluate conditions to anticipate possible problems, and take necessary action to avoid them? The answer starts with the up to eight different sensing systems that give the car what Mercedes-Benz engineers call “360-degree all-round vision” and allow it to act as a copilot – ever alert to possible danger.
Sensors including a stereo visual camera, infrared cameras, radar cameras, and ultrasonic sensors create a comprehensive image of the environment surrounding the new S-Class
FRONT:
Long-range Radar 200 meters
Long-range Infrared 160 meters
Stereo 3-D Vision 50 meters
Near Infrared 30 meters
Mid-range Scanning Radar 60 meters
REAR
Front and rear ultrasonic sensors 4 meters
Short-range Radar 30 meters
Multi-Mode Radar 30 meters
Multi-Mode Radar 80 meters
The newest addition to the sensing systems – first seen on the new E-Class earlier this year – is a stereo multipurpose vision camera installed in the rearview mirror cluster, which mimics human vision not only to see objects as far as 500 meters in front of the car, but to determine their three-dimensional shape, sense their distance from the car, and determine direction and rate of movement if they are within 50 meters.
Four separate radar systems extend out from the front and rear of the car. A long-range radar senses objects 200 meters in front of the car, a mid-range radar scans a 60-degree area 60 meters in front of the car, and a multimode system in back has a narrow beam extending 80 meters and wide beam extending 30 meters to the rear.
An infrared camera in front is used by the night vision system, with the ability to sense differentials in heat up to 160 meters, and with the use of infrared LEDs in the headlight clusters, able to accurately distinguish objects and present a clear picture on the driver’s display up to 40 meters ahead.
To provide parking assistance, multiple ultrasonic sensors are integrated into the front and rear bumpers. Finally, if the surround-view option is elected, then three additional vision cameras are installed, one in each side-view mirror and one above the rear license plate.
New systems create a safer future
Having reached a comfortable speed that matched the flow of commute traffic on that long stretch of urban freeway in Toronto, I moved over to the inside lane, pulled the cruise-control lever on the left side of the steering column toward me, and took my foot off the accelerator while relaxing my hands on the steering wheel. With the Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot engaged – using the long-range radar to track any car in the same lane and the scanning radar to spot cars ahead in adjoining lanes – the car automatically maintained the speed I set, except when the car ahead started to slow down. Then it automatically slowed down to maintain a safe distance between us. Twice traffic came to a standstill, and my S-Class simply slowed down appropriately and then stopped a few meters behind the car in front. When traffic began to move, it started up again, gradually increasing the distance ahead until we were moving with traffic at the previously established speed.
The most uncanny of this new system was that when the road turned, I could feel the steering wheel turning under my fingers, making small steering adjustments to keep my car within its lane. Even through some sections where there were no lane markers on the pavement due to recent construction, my car steered itself, simply following the car ahead.
If I did take my hands off the wheel, an icon showing two red hands on a steering wheel lit up on the screen in front of me, and if I didn’t put them back immediately, a beeping sound started, with the screen warning me that the system was about to deactivate.
For drivers who must negotiate a long commute to and from work every day, this new system will make the mental and physical torture of unavoidable commuter traffic a thing of the past. I can also imagine it turning long-distance highway journeys – such as our drive last year from Los Angeles to Phoenix for StarFest – almost a pleasure.
This was the most impressive aspect of the extensive list of electronic safety and convenience systems that are available for the new S-Class, but there are several others that also are brand-new to the Mercedes portfolio.
In the same futuristic category, we have to include the new Night View Assist Plus system available on the new S-Class. Because we were driving only during the day on this press event, experiencing this system required a trip to the simulator. Sitting in a standard S-Class with screens in front and in place of the rear view mirrors, we could experience what it would be like to drive at night with this system in operation.
The new Night View Assist Plus – here demonstrated on the simulator – both provides a “daylight” view on the dash screen and alerts to people and animals in the road ahead.
Similar to the previous generation S-Class, pressing a button on the dashboard activated the night-vision system, which showed the view in front of the car as if it were daylight, using the infrared vision enhanced by infrared LEDs in the headlamp cluster. But now, if a pedestrian or animal were detected by the infrared sensors beyond the range of the infrared lamps, its profile would be highlighted in red on the screen and an audible warning would sound. If the profile were determined to be consistent with that of a pedestrian, the intelligent system would go even further: The LED lights in the headlamp cluster would spotlight the pedestrian and flash, thus alerting the pedestrian to the oncoming car while identifying the position of the pedestrian to the driver. Even if the night screen wasn’t activated, the system would still light up if a pedestrian or animal in the car’s path ahead, or on the verge of stepping into its path, were to be sensed.
The third new system being introduced on the S-Class, Magic Body Control, uses the stereo vision camera to scan the pavement ahead. If the camera sees a bump or hole in the road, then the system uses the adaptive damping system to retract or extend the suspension during the time the wheels are passing over the obstruction. During the rural portion of our drive, the value of this system was illustrated several times as the car maintained a smooth level ride over railroad crossings and rutted pavement.
Braking systems to avoid or mitigate collisions
Within the list of Intelligent Drive systems are several enhanced braking systems. As with all other new Mercedes-Benz cars, all S-Class cars are equipped with antilock braking, Brake Assist, PRE-SAFE braking, Adaptive Braking Technology and Collision Prevention Assist. Using the front and rear radar systems, these systems detect potential collisions based on closing proximity to cars and obstacles ahead, or from cars approaching from the rear, then tighten the seat belts to increase collision safety while partially applying the brakes to increase braking effectiveness. In addition, the brake system will apply the brakes with appropriate pressure even if the driver doesn’t.
However, the sensible owner will elect the optional Driver Assistance Package, which enhances each of these systems. PRE-SAFE Brake with Pedestrian Detection and Brake Assistance System Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist use the stereo vision in conjunction with the radar system to detect and identify pedestrians and automobiles ahead, as well as those crossing the vehicle’s path. If the driver doesn’t apply enough braking power, or brake at all, the system can still bring the vehicle to a complete stop without hitting an obstacle at speeds up to 30 mph. At higher speeds, the aggressive use of the brakes will significantly mitigate potential damage or injury even if the collision cannot be prevented. PRE-SAFE Plus works to mitigate damage from rear-end collisions when the vehicle is standing still. If the radar sensor in the rear bumper detects the risk of a collision from behind, then the system locks the brakes to reduce risk of a forward jolt, thus reducing potential for injury to the occupants, as well as reducing the possibility of the vehicle being pushed into a car ahead.
Enhancements to other safety systems
Using the stereo camera that is added when the Driver Assistance Package is ordered, the new S-Class has enhancements to two other systems. Active Lane Keeping Assist, which uses the stereo camera to track lane markers, will warn the driver when the car is about to cross a solid line on the outside edge of the road, as with previous models. Additionally, the Blind Spot Assist system uses the short-range front and rear radar to warn the driver of cars in adjoining lanes that might be encountered if a lane change is made. Moreover, with the active versions of these systems, if the driver continues on a path that will veer the car off the road or into the path of nearby cars, the braking system will operate on the appropriate side of the car to push the vehicle back into its own lane. An added advantage to these previously available systems: By combining the new stereo camera with the front and rear radar, the system can identify dashed lane markers and potential accident situations such as overtaking vehicles, parallel traffic, cars that are being parked, or oncoming cars in the opposite lane. When this occurs, the car provides a warning first by shaking the steering wheel, and if the driver doesn’t react, it will then apply brakes on the appropriate wheels to guide the car safely back into its own lane.
Finally, although it might be considered as much for convenience as safety, the new S-Class offers a Surround View Camera that can be added to the basic premium option package. By adding cameras under the side-view mirrors and on the lower back panel of the car, the driver’s screen can present a picture of the car as if from directly above, which significantly facilitates safe maneuvering in tight spaces. If this isn’t quite enough, the combination of radar, stereo vision, active steering, and active braking in Active Parking Assist, which can be added to the Driver Assistance Package, enables the car to steer itself into parallel parking spaces on the street and into end-on parking spaces in parking lots and garages, with the driver simply working the accelerator and brake pedal.
Though these systems do certainly add to the purchase cost – opting for every available safety package would add about $15,000 to the base price – they are worth contemplating
when considering the added safety assurance and reduced accident risk they offer, and some insurance companies may give deductions for them. What is more to the point is that these systems, both new and enhanced on the S-Class, point toward the future of all automobiles because their use in volume will certainly lower the price – and as with previous safety systems – they are likely to become standard equipment on all Mercedes-Benz automobiles.
HOW MUCH DOES SAFETY COST?
STANDARD SYSTEMS – No charge: Electronic Stability Program, Antilock Braking System, Brake Assist System, PRE-SAFE braking system, Adaptive Braking Technology, Collision Prevention Assist, Magic Vision Control windshield wipers.
PREMIUM 1 PACKAGE – $4,500, includes: Parktronic with Active Parking Assist plus various comfort and convenience options.
DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE – $2,800 added to Premium Package, includes: Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE Brake with pedestrian detection, BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, PRE-SAFE PLUS rear-end collision mitigation.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS – Magic Body Control (added to Driver Assistance Package) – $4,450, Surround View Camera (added to Premium Package) – $800, Night View Assist Plus (stand-alone option) – $2,260.
The 2014 S-Class is literally surrounded by standard and optional safety systems comprised within the overall term "Intelligent Drive." These include SURROUND VIEW CAMERA, ACTIVE BLIND SPOT ASSIST, ACTIVE PARKING ASSIST, PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE PLUS with Pedestrian Detection, BRAKE ASSIST PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, PRE-SAFE BRAKE with Pedestrian Detection. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST