Mercedes-Benz envisions a future with zero automotive crashes, and its purpose is to succeed in that milestone by 2050. It is a tall order.

On Tuesday, the automaker took the following steps towards that future because it carried out the primary recognized crash check between two electrical automobiles in entrance of journalists. It was loud and violent, precisely as anticipated.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and EQA crash check

Crash-testing electrical vehicles

A crash check appears counterintuitive to a future with out automotive crashes, however the accident-free future is much away. This check pieced collectively what would possibly occur on the way in which to zero accidents.

The crash check, which was between an EQS SUV and EQA crossover SUV, was a head-on with 50% frontal overlap, and with each vehicles touring at 35 mph (56 kph). Notably, this situation exceeds any standardized crash check by businesses chargeable for ranking automobile 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 secure, than a gas-powered Mercedes.

Mercedes deliberate to do a roof-crush check the following day by dropping the crashed EQS on its roof, as solely the entrance finish sustained injury throughout the present check.

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 purpose, however the actuality is unsure.

Director of Automobile Security at Mercedes-Benz Paul Dick stated immediately there are 1.3 million highway fatalities every year worldwide. That equates to 12 massive planes full of individuals each single day. Mercedes is aiming for none of its automobiles to be concerned in an accident by 2050 in line with Dick, however that may not be doable.

Julien Richert is in control of Mercedes-Benz’s ESF program, which creates Experimental Security Automobiles that discover new designs and expertise within the title of security. Richert instructed Motor Authority so long as we reside in a world of combined automobiles (referring to human-driven automobiles and autonomous automobiles) there shall be uncontrolled variables that result in accidents. Even in an autonomous world there are uncontrolled and unavoidable points comparable to a falling tree limb, Richert famous.

Future automobiles might want to talk with the skin atmosphere, each by way of pedestrians and different drivers. For now, that can 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 reside picture feed.

In preparation for an autonomous future the Mercedes-Benz ESF 2019 idea employed most of those doable options. It additionally took into consideration a special seating place for autonomous driving, which noticed the seatbelt transfer to the seat itself quite 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

Immediately, no matter powertrain, Mercedes is dealing with security measures in 4 phases.

Part 1 is the help part, and it makes use of energetic security expertise comparable to adaptive cruise management, blind-spot displays, automated emergency braking, and the hands-free autonomous Drive Pilot system.

Part 2 is the preparation part, which prompts when the automobile’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 automobile will really elevate the aspect about to expertise affect to lift and transfer occupants away from the vitality pressure.

Part 3 is the defend part, and it includes all of the airbags deploying contained in the automobile. 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.

Part 4 is the assistance part, and it is when the system kicks in to alert these close to and much {that a} automobile’s been in an accident. The hazard lights robotically illuminate, on an electrical automobile the high-voltage electrical system will robotically go into an emergency shut-down mode, and the automobile 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 function a black field (which is definitely yellow) mounted on the heart most level of the automobile. It acts because the automobile’s mind for all security methods and Mercedes can retrieve crash information from it after the very fact ought to or not it’s wanted. 

Immediately, Mercedes makes each gas- and electric-powered automobiles. With the newest crash check the automaker has taken the following step in security testing because it prepares its electrical lineup whereas trying towards a crashless future.