Daimler Research Team Nominated for German Future Prize

German auto giant Daimler is currently taking pride in the work of the company’s research team, as they have been nominated to the German Future Prize, the Federal President’s prize for technology and innovation, together with two other teams.

It was their 6D-vision technology, which can make a vital contribution to the avoidance of accidents, that brought them into the final selection.

Specifically named in the nomination were Dr Uwe Franke, Dr Stefan Gehrig and Dr Clemens Rabe, who are responsible for this pioneering project as part of their work in Daimler AG's Research and Advance Development department for Assistance Systems and Chassis Systems.

6D-Vision uses a stereo camera, acting in much the same way as the two eyes of its human exemplar, to compute the three-dimensional geometry of the situation in front of the vehicle in real time from the images it sees, using special algorithms developed by Daimler to do so. An analysis of consecutive pairs of images allows instant and reliable identification of any movement.

"Road safety for all road users has always been a major area of focus and a core competence at Mercedes-Benz," Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, continues: "The 6D-Vision project represents a milestone along the road to accident-free driving and will form the basis of our future safety systems. I am absolutely delighted that this unique technology has been honoured in this special way by being nominated for the ”Deutscher Zukunftspreis” in our 125th anniversary year."