Mercedes-Benz envisions a future with zero automobile crashes, and its objective is to succeed in that milestone by 2050. It is a tall order.
On Tuesday, the automaker took the subsequent steps towards that future because it carried out the primary recognized crash take a look at between two electrical automobiles in entrance of journalists. It was loud and violent, precisely as anticipated.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and EQA crash take a look at
Crash-testing electrical automobiles
A crash take a look at appears counterintuitive to a future with out automobile crashes, however the accident-free future is way away. This take a look at pieced collectively what would possibly occur on the best way to zero accidents.
The crash take a look at, which was between an EQS SUV and EQA crossover SUV, was a head-on with 50% frontal overlap, and with each automobiles touring at 35 mph (56 kph). Notably, this state of affairs exceeds any standardized crash take a look at by businesses answerable for ranking car security.
Whereas the automobiles had been each totaled, the passenger cells and high-voltage battery packs had been each absolutely intact. In different phrases, the automobiles carried out no worse, and had been no much less protected, than a gas-powered Mercedes.
Mercedes deliberate to do a roof-crush take a look at the subsequent day by dropping the crashed EQS on its roof, as solely the entrance finish sustained injury through the present take a look at.
The crash marked the automaker’s subsequent step in crash testing with the electrical future coming on-line.
Mercedes-Benz ESF automobiles
A future with out crashes?
Minimizing crashes to zero is the objective, however the actuality is unsure.
Director of Automobile Security at Mercedes-Benz Paul Dick mentioned immediately there are 1.3 million street fatalities annually worldwide. That equates to 12 giant planes full of individuals each single day. Mercedes is aiming for none of its automobiles to be concerned in an accident by 2050 in keeping with Dick, however which may not be potential.
Julien Richert is in control of Mercedes-Benz’s ESF program, which creates Experimental Security Automobiles that discover new designs and know-how within the title of security. Richert informed Motor Authority so long as we stay in a world of combined automobiles (referring to human-driven automobiles and autonomous automobiles) there might be uncontrolled variables that result in accidents. Even in an autonomous world there are uncontrolled and unavoidable points akin to a falling tree limb, Richert famous.
Future automobiles might want to talk with the skin setting, each by way of pedestrians and different drivers. For now, that may take the type of teal-colored lighting parts on Mercedes Drive Pilot automobiles whereas working in autonomous mode. Sooner or later, it may very well be home windows that show graphics or perhaps a stay picture feed.
In preparation for an autonomous future the Mercedes-Benz ESF 2019 idea employed most of those potential options. It additionally took into consideration a special seating place for autonomous driving, which noticed the seatbelt transfer to the seat itself somewhat than being pillar-mounted as with most of immediately’s automobiles.
Crashed Mercedes-Benz EQS
Mercedes-Benz EQS security physique
Dealing with crash conditions immediately
In the present day, no matter powertrain, Mercedes is dealing with security measures in 4 phases.
Section 1 is the help section, and it makes use of energetic security know-how akin to adaptive cruise management, blind-spot screens, automated emergency braking, and the hands-free autonomous Drive Pilot system.
Section 2 is the preparation section, which prompts when the car’s sensors develop into conscious a crash will happen. The home windows roll up, seatbelt tensioners tighten, airbags pre-charge in anticipation of deployment, and if geared up with air or hydraulic suspension, the car will really carry the facet about to expertise affect to boost and transfer occupants away from the power pressure.
Section 3 is the defend section, and it entails all of the airbags deploying contained in the car. The 2021 S-Class noticed the introduction of a rear airbag mounted on the entrance seat backs for rear seat passengers. That idea was launched within the ESF 2019 idea after which put into manufacturing.
Section 4 is the assistance section, and it is when the system kicks in to alert these close to and much {that a} car’s been in an accident. The hazard lights mechanically illuminate, on an electrical car the high-voltage electrical system will mechanically go into an emergency shut-down mode, and the car will name an emergency name heart the place an operator will pickup talking the default language you have chosen in your Mercedes-Benz.
All Mercedes-Benz automobiles characteristic a black field (which is definitely yellow) mounted on the heart most level of the car. It acts because the car’s mind for all security methods and Mercedes can retrieve crash knowledge from it after the actual fact ought to or not it’s wanted.Â
In the present day, Mercedes makes each gas- and electric-powered automobiles. With the latest crash take a look at the automaker has taken the subsequent step in security testing because it prepares its electrical lineup whereas wanting towards a crashless future.