The automotive “brain” of the new
up of dozens of electronic control units linked together via data networks and capable of exchanging information. With sensors, detectors, cameras and radar antennae the new E-Class can tell if the distance to the car in front suddenly decreases, if the sedan inadvertently departs from its lane or if the driver starts to become drowsy.
One of these partners is DISTRONIC PLUS. Information is supplied by radar sensors up to 200 meters ahead of the vehicle to work out the distance
to the vehicle in front and the relative speed of the two vehicles. Simultaneously the processor calculates commands for the engine and brakes. In this way DISTRONIC PLUS keeps the E-Class at a set distance, brakes it to a standstill if necessary and accelerates it again.
Three signals from the cockpit inform the driver that he is too close to the vehicle ahead. First the PRE-SAFE® Brake comes into operation. An initial warning signal sounds 2.6 seconds before the calculated moment of impact. By this time the system has also calculated the degree of braking assistance required. Tests have shown that three-quarters of rear-end collisions can
be prevented if there is early warning of collision risk and the required brake assistance is calculated. If the driver does not react to the situation within one second the car is able to take independent action – braking automatically and reacting almost instinctively. The PRE-SAFE® Brake initiates an autonomous partial braking of around 40 percent of the maximum brake force. At the same time, front seatbelts are tensioned and the electrically operated passenger seat with Memory package is adjusted for optimum position.
In this way, the car’s PRE-SAFE® system prepares vehicle occupants for an impending collision using measures that are preventive and reversible in nature. Does the driver still not react to the situation approximately 0.6 seconds before impact the sedan brakes automatically using all available braking force. By partial and emergency braking the impact speed can be reduced by 16 km/h (10 mph) on average.
The new E-Class and S-Class of 2009 are the first models from Mercedes-Benz to observe their environment using a video camera. The system interprets images and compares them with other information. This has applications, for example, in headlamp control and lane monitoring. The camera sends a data telegram to the headlamps every 40 milliseconds, continuously adjusting the high beam over a range from 65 to 300 meters. Furthermore, the E-Class is able to keep its “eye” on lane markings. It notices if the car unintentionally wanders out of the lane and promptly sounds a warning signal through vibrations in the steering wheel. The