Mercedes-Benz Parktronic System Helps Child Safety; Parking Convenience System May Detect Kids as Well as Bumpers
16 June 1997
Mercedes-Benz Parktronic System Helps Child Safety; Parking Convenience System May Detect Kids as Well as Bumpers
MONTVALE, N.J., June 16 -- While the Parktronic system is the
latest demonstration of Mercedes-Benz leadership in the development of new
convenience features, it could also provide additional real-world advantages.
Designed to alert drivers when they get close to other vehicles or obstacles
during parking, the Parktronic system may also help provide notice to the
driver about the presence of children who might be playing in a driveway
immediately behind or in front of the car.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly
400 fatalities take place each year in driveway "backing crashes," and over
100 of these are children aged 1-4. Although toddlers represent only 6% of
the total U.S. population, they account for 30% of all fatalities in driveway
incidents. In most of these cases, an otherwise careful parent who is pulling
in or out at very low speed simply doesn't happen to notice the small child
who has somehow slipped by the usual precautions.
The Mercedes-Benz Parktronic system uses high-frequency sound waves to
sense objects that are close to the front or rear bumper. Resembling buttons
integrated into the bumpers, small receiver-transmitters emit
ultra-sound waves (inaudible to humans and animals) and sense the return
signal whenever it bounces off a nearby object.
Inside the car, two LCD displays in the dash come on whenever the car is
moving at 10 mph or less. Bar graph segments in the display light up
progressively, beginning as the front bumper is about three feet away from any
object. Whenever the car is in reverse, two more displays above the rear
window are illuminated. Clearly visible in the rear-view mirror when backing
up, segments in the display begin lighting up as objects come within about
four feet of the rear bumper.
In addition, a warning tone alerts the driver when either bumper is about
ten inches from contact. However, while Parktronic may aid in detecting
objects in front of or behind the car, drivers must always make a careful
visual check ahead and in back before operating the vehicle.
The Mercedes-Benz Parktronic system is available on 1997 S-Class cars,
where it's standard on S-Class coupes and optional on the sedan versions.
This fall, Parktronic will also become available on 1998 E-Class models.
The Parktronic system is the latest innovation from Mercedes-Benz, which
pioneered many safety features now used throughout the auto industry. Early
developments from Mercedes-Benz included the patented "crumple zone" body
structure design and the energy-absorbing steering column. The company even
coined the now-ubiquitous "SRS" term for its supplemental restraint system
consisting of an airbag, three-point belts and electronic belt tensioning
retractors.
In the late '70s, Mercedes-Benz offered the first production cars equipped
with ABS anti-lock brakes, soon followed by its debut of traction control.
More recently, Mercedes-Benz launched the revolutionary ESP stability system
and the industry's first door-mounted side airbags, soon to be followed by the
1998 Brake Assist system.
SOURCE Mercedes-Benz
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