Using an Experimental Safety Vehicle (ESF - the first to be built since 1974), Mercedes is testing no less than five new or improved safety technologies, including inflatable metallic sections and the "braking bag". But let's take them one at a time.
The Pre-Safe Structure is an inflatable metal structure meant to save weight and provide stability when required. When at rest, the metal section is in a folded state to save space but when needed the structure inflates with the help of a gas generator, unfolding to provide stability.
The Braking Bag is meant to stop the vehicle when needed by providing additional friction. It is in fact an undercarriage airbag if you like, deployed shortly before the crash to stabilize the car on the road surface by means of a friction coating.
By using Interactive Vehicle Communication, the 2009 ESF is able to communicate directly with other vehicles, or via relay stations, networks or WLAN radio technology.
The Pre-Safe Pulse is designed to reduce the forces acting on the torsos of the occupants during a lateral collision, by moving them towards the centre of the vehicle by up to 50 millimetres as a precautionary measure. It does so by using air chambers in the side bolsters of the seat backrests.
The Spotlight lighting function is an addition to the Night View Assist PLUS which illuminates, beyond the normal area covered by the main beams, any road side hazards it detects.
Below you have three videos of what the technologies found on the 2009 ESF are all about.
Google News