Their latest invention is called the Active Night View Assist Plus (ANVAP), a device that directs light towards people on or near the road, making them visible for the driver from much greater distances.
The ANVAP system uses infrared headlamps and a night vision camera, among other technologies. The infrared headlamps illuminate the road ahead in a light spectrum that is not visible to the human eye. The camera then captures and displays an image on the instrument cluster and the potential hazards are highlighted.
“Just like many other safety innovations from Mercedes-Benz, the new spotlight function forming part of the Active Night View Assist Plus is geared towards how accidents actually occur”, according to Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Development, Mercedes-Benz Cars.
The system then goes even further, highlighting the possible source of danger in the driver’s immediate field of vision by specifically directing light on people on the road. It offers an interesting side effect, the pedestrian also being alerted and possibly scared by the impending collision. To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the system doesn’t use the spotlight if other cars traveling in front or coming from the opposite direction are near the pedestrian.
“The aim of this development was to prevent the particularly serious consequences of collisions with pedestrians at night. With this concept, a Mercedes-Benz fitted with the spotlight function not only protects its occupants, but also makes a significant contribution towards enhancing safety for other road users," Dr. Weber also explains.
All Mercs ordered with ANVAP from summer 2011 will be equipped with the spotlight feature as standard.
Google News