The automotive world is now deeply engrossed in the ‘autonomous-race’, and Mercedes-Benz is working hard to be at the forefront. Fully automated vehicles may be quite a ways away, but that hasn’t stopped automakers from leaking whatever bits of technology they can into today’s production cars. As laws and testing work to catch up with innovation, we are fortunate to receive vehicles that do a little more of the work. Mercedes-Benz has revealed that the upcoming E-Class is set to debut some of their latest gear, a right normally reserved for the flagship S-Class.
Mercedes-Benz refers to the automated system in their models as ‘Steering Assist’. Currently, Steering Assist can maneuver moderate curves, deal with traffic at low speeds, and avoid highway lane changes via blind spot detection. MB is upping the ante by having Steering Assist be capable of sharper curves at speeds of up to 80mph. Steering Assist also caters for a person or object entering the vehicular pathway; the computers will not only apply the brake to stop, but has the capability to redirect the vehicle. In addition, if the driver attempts to avoid a collision and puts the car into a swerve, it can autonomously be corrected, all at speeds of up to 40mph.
With the incorporation of these advancements some additional safety measures were put in place to compensate for computer error. First of all, to ensure there are hands on the steering wheel, it runs a presence check at a decently frequent interval. As well, weather conditions and nonstandard terrain may take the computers for a spin, so the E-Class includes alerts to keep the driver in control when there is the slightest doubt. This people-carrier can even be deemed literate as it adjusts its speed according to road signs it reads.
Listed to be revealed at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is built up to be quite the machine. Thanks to its use of sensors to collect information, computers to interpret data, and actuators to implement physical changes, the envelope is being pushed for self-driving cars. If in the next few years it can walk the dog, then we will have made it far enough.
Source: Motor Authority
