Automotive

Mercedes to pack greater semi-autonomy into upcoming E-Class

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The new Mercedes E-Class will be fitted with a massive range of semi-autonomous features to make the driver's life easier and safer
The adaptive headlamp control allows drivers to use high beam for longer
The car's LED headlamps will detect junctions and adjust their beam accordingly
The anti-dazzle function on the LED headlamps has a dedicated function for when it is raining
Using individual LEDs in the headlamps allows Mercedes to adapt the beam for city driving
LED headlamps allow the car to mould the beam around oncoming cars
Variable-intensity taillights are designed to prevent drivers being dazzled by the lights at traffic lights
Belt bags are a feature that Ford is currently using
Pre-Safe will use the seat bolsters to distance passengers from the car's doors in a side impact
Pre-Safe will make the car as safe as possible before an accident
NFC means owners can use their phones to open the car
The upcoming E-Class will be take advantage of Car-to-X communication, which will warn drivers of upcoming danger
Just like the new BMW 7 Series, the new E-Class will remotely park itselfT
The new E-Class' lane keeping system will work on roads without lines
The new Mercedes E-Class will be fitted with a massive range of semi-autonomous features to make the driver's life easier and safer
The Car-to-X communication system warns drivers of impending danger
Mercedes has continued to improve and expand the features available as a part of PreSafe
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In the push to lower the road toll and make life easier for drivers, auto manufacturers are packing more and more semi-autonomous features into their cars. When it comes time to launch the new E-Class, Mercedes is hoping to be ahead of the curve by offering up a range of comfort- and safety-oriented semi-autonomous features in its new driver assistance package that do everything from help the driver steer in dangerous situations, to protect occupants' hearing in the event of a crash.

Mercedes is touting the upcoming new E-Class as another major step along the road towards autonomous cars. On highways, the new car will be able to maintain a constant distance behind the car in front at speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph), while at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph) the system doesn't rely on lane markings. This means the car can keep following a vehicle through road works and other areas where lane markings aren't clearly visible.

To ensure that the cruise control doesn't miss out on any speed limit changes, the new E-Class will have an option for speed limit detection, which uses cameras and GPS data to automatically match the vehicle's speed with the current speed limit. To enhance nighttime visibility, To give owners the best possible chance, Mercedes has developed LED headlamps that use 84 individual LED units to illuminate the road without blinding oncoming drivers.

Mercedes has continued to improve and expand the features available as a part of PreSafe

There are plenty of cars already fitted with automatic emergency braking, but Mercedes is expanding the number of situations where it can be activated. Instead of being limit to potential rear-end collisions, the system can now detect cross-traffic at intersections and pedestrians who might be in the firing line. If automatic braking doesn't manage to pull the car up and drivers are forced to swerve, an Evasive Steering System will kick in to give the wheel an assistive tug to help the driver put the right amount of lock on.

Despite the technology still being brand new on BMW's S-Class-rivalling 7 Series, the new E-Class will be available with a parking assist system that lets owners stand outside the car while it parks itself with the push of a button on the key. That same key uses NFC, which also allows drivers' smartphones to be used to open the door. Smartphones will also be used as a part of Mercedes' Car-to-X communication system, which is able to share information between cars about accidents or traffic conditions, warning the driver before they actually reach the chaos.

The Car-to-X communication system warns drivers of impending danger

Topping off the focus on safety are additions to Mercedes' Pre-Safe system. If the car detects an unavoidable side-impact crash, it will inflate the air chambers in the backrest side bolsters to move passengers sideways away from the danger zone. A new Pre-Safe Sound system will also attempt to protect occupants from the potentially damaging sound of a crash by emitting a sound through the vehicle's sound system. This is intended to trigger a natural reflex whereby a muscle in our ears contracts in reaction to loud noises to provide protection against high sound pressures.

The new E-Class will be launched next (Northern Hemisphere) spring.

Source: Daimler

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