MercedesBenz safety solutions history

The quest for ever better #safety solutions is part of our DNA at #MercedesBenz.

The premiere in 1959 of the modern safety body in our luxury saloons marked a milestone in the history of #technology. Also in 1959, Mercedes-Benz began systematic accident research through crash testing. Innovative solutions continued to be developed at a rapid pace. These included the safety steering system and a steering wheel with impact absorber in the 1960s.

In 1978, the ABS anti-lock braking system was a breakthrough in active safety. It enabled vehicles to remain steerable even during emergency braking. In 1981, the driver airbag first stepped onto the stage along with belt tensioners on the front seats. This highly effective restraint system, which works in tandem with the seat belt, is triggered when the control unit detects a serious frontal impact.

The Electronic Stability Program ESP®, introduced in a production vehicle in 1995, reduces skidding movements by means of targeted braking intervention on individual wheels, among other things.

The first generation of the BAS Brake Assist was introduced in 1996. The system detects when emergency braking is applied by a driver and automatically builds up maximum braking power. The first DISTRONIC made its début in 1998; it relieves the driver of braking and acceleration duties in moving traffic.

Other milestones include the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system introduced in 2002, the PRE-SAFE® brake with autonomous partial braking in 2006, the Intelligent Drive concept with its intuitive, intelligent technologies in 2013 and Active Brake Assist, which today can detect other motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and more.

#Innovation #VehicleSafety