A few months ago, I already made a post about the new technology that Mercedes is developing to ensure improved safety on the road. When I wrote it, Mercedes hasn’t identified yet which model will carry the said technology. This time, Mercedes has already pinpointed the redesigned 2010 E-Class to be the carrier of the new Attention Assist system. The Attention Assist system detects if the driver is feeling drowsy while on the wheel. It achieves this by means of the 70 different parameters that show when a driver is drowsy. Once drowsiness is detected, the system gives off a sound and visible warning on the panel.

The Attention Assist system is a standard feature on all 2010 E-Class models. If you want this safe vehicle for your family, it’s already available in various Mercedes-Benz dealers.

Photo Credit: SFGate

Safety is a big factor that a lot of car makers take into consideration when they develop a vehicle. This is a commendable thing to do especially in this day and age when accidents on the highways are very prevalent. Life is precious and it’s a good thing these auto manufacturers are taking an active part in preserving it.

One active innovator in safety devices in automobiles is Mercedes-Benz. This company has a long list of safety innovations to its name. Proximity-controlled Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, and Continuous Braking Control are some of these safety features. But they have a new one called the Attention Assist System. This safety innovation is aimed to help people who tend to fall asleep at the wheel. We all know how dangerous this is. Many innocent lives have been sacrificed because a driver fell asleep at the wheel. This Attention Assist system has been in the works since 2007 and now it’s finally ready.

How exactly can the Attention Assist system keep a driver safe on the road? According to Gizmag, “Attention Assist system constantly monitors typical driving patterns to establish an individual profile and, taking into account factors like the time of day, the duration of the trip and steering behavior, makes a decision on whether the driver is becoming tired when there is deviation from this saved data.

The system records the angle of the steering wheel, speed, acceleration, the use of indicators and pedals, as well as external factors such as a side wind or an uneven road surface. If changes occur within the established parameters of the individual’s driving behavior (with steering behavior having proved a particularly telling indicator according to Mercedes) a warning sounds and an alert symbol appears in the instrument cluster so the driver knows it’s time for a break.”

This sound alert will definitely awaken the driver if he seems to be dozing off already.

This new safety technology by Mercedes offers a lot of potential. It is the first of its kind that uses driver’s behavior to determine whether he’s still driving safely or not.
 
We can hope that with this additional safety feature, falling-asleep-at-the-wheel accidents will be greatly reduced.

Photo Credit: Gizmag