PIONEERING WORK: PRE-SAFE SYSTEMS ALREADY AT MERCEDES-BENZ SINCE 1989
In the view of Mercedes engineers the early recognition of an impending accident and the development of suitable, situation-related occupant protection represents the greatest safety engineering challenge of the next few years. This innovative technology is based on systems that continuously monitor the driver, vehicle and road surface with the help of sensors and are automatically activated when danger is detected. Such systems are already installed as standard in Mercedes models today, and prove their worth millions of times every day by recognising critical situations at an early stage and preventing accidents: the anti-lock braking system (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS) and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®). These driving safety systems form the basis for the innovative PRE-SAFE concept.
In the field of occupant protection, too, Mercedes-Benz initiated the concept of preventive measures some time ago. As early as 1989 the Stuttgart company set a milestone by equipping the SL-Class Roadster with an automatic rollover bar that snaps into position in just 0.3 seconds if a rollover threatens. The CLK-Class Cabriolet is likewise equipped with such an anticipatory rollover protection system.
PHILOSOPHY: VEHICLE SAFETY AS AN ALL-EMBRACING TASK
With high-performance, adaptive airbags, side and windowbags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters and crash-optimised body structures, most of the potential in passive safety technology has now been exploited according to safety specialists. New concepts are required if further advances are to be made. This is why at Mercedes-Benz the term "safety"no longer refers only to crash safety. "For us PRE-SAFE means the logical continuation of our long-held safety philosophy", says Dr. Rodolf Schöneburg, the head of safety development at Mercedes-Benz. "In future we will also be able to use the time interval between recognising a dangerous situation and the point at which the actual impact occurs, to prepare the car for the impending crash and therefore give the occupants the best possible protection. Our previous protection concept will therefore be supplemented with an additional PRE-SAFE phase."