With more than 40 active assistance systems currently available, Mercedes-Benz is making a major contribution to increasing the safety of all road users. In particular, Active Brake Assist with pedestrian detection has been helping reduce accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists for many years.
This system issues visual and acoustic warnings of potential collisions with intersecting or oncoming vehicles. If the driver applies insufficient braking force, the system intervenes by aiding and augmenting the braking force appropriately. In cases of no driver response, Active Brake Assist initiates emergency braking. The latest vehicle generation employs camera- and/or radar-based sensors to detect pedestrians and cyclists in the vehicle’s path. When a collision risk with these vulnerable road users is identified, the system calculates the required braking force to prevent or minimize the impact.
Now Mercedes-Benz has achieved a significant safety milestone, having sold more 10 million passenger cars globally since 2012, all equipped with the pedestrian emergency braking system, which the manufacturer says underscores its ongoing commitment to prioritizing and integrating advanced safety features across its vehicle line-up.
As unprotected road users without airbags or seatbelts, pedestrians face elevated risks, as highlighted by accident statistics in the European Union and the USA. Studies indicate that vehicles with pedestrian emergency braking systems experience a 27% lower rate of pedestrian-related accidents.
Mercedes-Benz’s first Brake Assist System (BAS) was introduced in 1996. Over the years, advancements such as radar technology, Distronic Plus and BAS Plus Brake Assist led to the creation of Pre-Safe Brake with autonomous partial braking. Since 2021, Active Brake Assist has been a standard feature in all new Mercedes-Benz car models, surpassing legal requirements.
Future assistance systems will leverage advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to enhance their effectiveness. The ultimate goal is Vision Zero, envisioning zero accidents involving Mercedes-Benz vehicles by 2050.
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