The luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz has a reputation for sophisticated styling, superior performance, and its commitment to automobile safety. Mercedes has led the industry in innovative safety technology since their first vehicle, and the company continues this tradition today.
Mercedes Has an Extended History of Safety Innovations
The company’s emphasis on manufacturing safe vehicles started at the very beginning with its first automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. The Motorwagen was engineered to prevent rolling over by designing it with a low center of gravity. The car traveled at a top velocity of 10 miles per hour.
The manufacturer’s safety commitment became evident in the early 20th century when it presented the first hydraulic brake system. This invention helped motorists avoid accidents. Hydraulic brake systems permit drivers to stop sooner, with less distance between the need to stop and the actual stop. It has prevented many accidents.
By the 1930s, Mercedes presented the public with an innovation known as the “crumple zone.” The crumple zone absorbs the impact in an accident, and the car warps in a deliberate way, so it reduces the impact’s magnitude on the driver and their passengers.
Continuing the Tradition of Safety Innovations
After the second World War, Mercedes continued to make gains in the area of automobile safety. In the early 1950s, the luxury car giant presented the first-of-its-kind collapsible steering column. This feature protected the driver by reducing the possibility of injury if there was an auto accident.
Mercedes introduced the concept of the safety cell in the 1960s. The safety cell was an uncompromising passenger compartment that protected passengers from injuries in case of a car crash.
By the late 1970s, Mercedes introduced the airbag. This was a first for the industry and is saving lives and preventing serious injuries to this day. The first airbag was a significant move toward protecting motorists and their passengers by diminishing the threat of head and chest injuries often sustained in automobile crashes.
Testing showed that the airbag worked best in partnership with seatbelts. In the 1980s, the belt tensioner was created. This eliminated slack between the passenger and the seatbelt by tightening the three-point seatbelt within seconds if needed.
Mercedes is Still a Leader in Automobile Safety
Since the early days, Mercedes has led the charge toward safety technology. The Pre-Safe system makes use of sensor technology to predict approaching crashes.
The Pre-Safe system prepares the car for the collision’s impact by adjusting the seats, closing the windows and the sunroof, and tightening the safety belts around its passengers. This feature has reduced injuries by preparing the vehicle and its passengers for impact.
The Intelligent Drive System was introduced by Mercedes in 2013. The Intelligent Drive System uses sensors and cameras to notice possible threats and to implement evasive action. This might include braking for the driver if an obstacle is detected.
These days, the Mercedes S-Series comes standard with inflatable seat belts. Mercedes drivers can appreciate the additional safety features and the constant research the company does to keep its customers safe.
Mercedes Innovations Made All Cars Safer
The work that Mercedes has done to make cars safer has trickled down to all the other car manufacturers. An incalculable number of lives have been saved because of innovations like hydraulic braking systems, airbags, seatbelts, and crumple zones. The company has no plans to halt safety innovations any time soon as they move forward. We can expect more and more features will be introduced to keep automobile travel even safer.
