Road Safety Advancement: Mercedes-Benz Hits 10 Million Active Brake Assist Systems Worldwide

Active contribution to greater road safety: Mercedes-Benz has equipped more than 10 million vehicles with Active Brake Assist with pedestrian detection.

(IN BRIEF) Mercedes-Benz has reached a significant safety milestone with over 10 million of its passenger cars worldwide equipped with Active Brake Assist, which includes pedestrian detection. This system helps reduce the risk of collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists while also mitigating the consequences of such accidents. It provides warnings to the driver and can even initiate emergency braking if necessary. Pedestrian detection is particularly important as pedestrians and cyclists are vulnerable road users. Studies have shown that vehicles with pedestrian emergency braking systems have a lower rate of accidents involving pedestrians. Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to real-life safety research aims to eliminate accidents involving their vehicles by 2050.

(PRESS RELEASE) STUTTGART, 14-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The Mercedes-Benz Group AG (former Daimler AG), one of the world’s most successful automotive companies, is celebrating a significant safety milestone with over 10 million of its passenger cars worldwide equipped with Active Brake Assist, including pedestrian detection. This innovative driving assistance system has been instrumental in minimizing the risk of collisions involving vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists while also mitigating the consequences of such accidents.

Active Brake Assist comes as standard in all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and plays a crucial role in enhancing road safety. It provides visual and acoustic warnings of potential collisions with vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists in the vehicle’s path. If the driver’s braking response is insufficient, the system can step in to increase braking force as needed. In cases where the driver fails to react at all, Active Brake Assist initiates emergency braking, further reducing the risk of accidents.

The system employs advanced camera and radar-based sensor technology to detect pedestrians and cyclists in the vehicle’s path. When an imminent risk of collision with these vulnerable road users is detected, the system calculates the necessary braking force to either prevent the collision or minimize its severity.

Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable road users, lacking the protection of airbags, seat belts, or protective clothing. Accident statistics highlight their increased risk, making safety technologies like pedestrian detection crucial. In 2020¹, pedestrians accounted for nearly one-fifth of all road fatalities in the European Union and 17 percent of traffic fatalities in the USA² in 2021.

Studies have shown the effectiveness of pedestrian emergency braking systems in reducing accidents involving pedestrians. A 2022 study by the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety³ found that vehicles equipped with such systems had a 27 percent lower rate of accidents involving pedestrians compared to those without.

Mercedes-Benz has a long history of innovation in vehicle safety, with Brake Assist System (BAS) introduced in 1996 and subsequent advancements in anticipatory braking and distance control. Pedestrian detection was added in 2013 and became standard equipment in the new E-Class in 2016. Since 2021, Active Brake Assist has been standard across all new Mercedes-Benz car models, surpassing legal requirements.

The company’s “Real-Life Safety” philosophy drives its commitment to systematic accident research, aiming to create vehicles that excel not only in controlled crash tests but also in real-world accidents. Mercedes-Benz’s goal is “Vision Zero,” striving for zero accidents involving their vehicles by 2050, emphasizing the safety of all road users, both inside and outside the vehicle.

¹ European Commission (2021) “Facts and Figures Pedestrians”. European Road Safety Observatory. Brussels, European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport

^² National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (Juni 2023).  “Traffic Safety Facts” (Report No. DOT HS 813 458). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

³ Insurance Institute for Highway Safety „Effects of automatic emergency braking systems on pedestrian crash risk“ (May 2022). Cicchino, Jessica B. Accident Analysis & Prevention (AAP)

Media contacts:

Tim In der Smitten
Communications Automated Driving & Safety – Safety
tim.in_der_smitten@mercedes-benz.com
+49 151 58617626

Matthias Struck
Manager Communications Automated Driving & Safety – Overall Vehicle
matthias.struck@mercedes-benz.com
+49 176 30925774

SOURCE: Mercedes-Benz Group AG