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New Mercedes Benz will slow itself from 200km/h, drive itself in traffic jams

Drivers across the world might not yet be ready for autonomous cars, which will remove control from humans, but there’s no opposition to automated systems that make cars safer. And to prove the point, by showing off its new safety systems in its upcoming C-class model, Mercedes Benz let seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher loose at SimCity – its proving ground in the German town of Sindelfingen.

The new car’s safety systems include revised, multi-stage radar sensors and a new stereo camera. The latter is similar to the Kinect camera used by the Xbox 360, and is designed to have two “eyes”, which give the car depth perception.

With its newfound distance-judging capabilities the systems on the new Benz model, due for a local next year, will be able to slow itself down from speeds as high as 200km/h. Just imagine yourself cruising along the highway, using cruise control, and a truck pulls out in front of you. The system will detect the slower vehicle and warn the driver using visual and audible signals. Should the driver not respond, the vehicle will apply partial brake pressure to avoid a collision.

It’s also capable of detecting stationary vehicles at speeds of up to 50km/h – and can completely stop itself, preventing a rear-end collision, from 40km/h. Just hope the drivers behind you are paying attention as your car tries to avoid an accident.

Another new technology is for the C-class is Distronic Plus, which is augmented with Steering Assist and Stop and Go. This is part of the distance-based cruise control system, which lets the car match its cruising speed with that of the car in front. But if the car in front slow down, so will the Mercedes. Steering Assist provides gentle input through the bends, if a driver starts straying over the barrier lines. Stop and Go technology will allow for autonomous application of the accelerator and brake in traffic jams. Just slip the automatic gearbox into drive and you’ll have a hassle-free drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Some of these, along with some of the other safety systems, have been used on higher-end Mercedes models like the E-class and S-class. Those premium vehicles have been used as tech showcases, and now they’ll finally filter down to the auto maker’s bread-and-butter model.

 

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