Showroom: News
Getting Rid of the Blind Spot:
An Assistant Makes Changing Lanes Safer
An Assistant Makes Changing Lanes Safer
Everyone is aware of the notorious blind spots on either side of a vehicle, where a car in the next lane is neither visible in the rearview mirrors nor does it appear in the driver’s peripheral vision. An assistant system that does away with those blind spots is now available from Mercedes-Benz for the S-Class and the CL-Class as optional equipment.
Essentially, the Blind Spot Assist monitors areas that aren’t readily visible to the driver. Whenever a vehicle is present in a blind spot, the system’s electronics warn the driver by displaying a bright red triangle in the external mirror. However, if the driver fails to notice this warning and actuates the turn signal for a lane change anyway, the assistant sounds an alert over the loudspeakers to draw attention to the warning triangle, which now blinks in the external mirror. The operation of the Blind Spot Assist is based on signals from six short-range radar sensors in the front and rear bumpers that scan the immediate vicinity in front, behind, and on both sides of the vehicle for potential collision objects or obstacles. The Blind Spot Assist is sold as part of a safety package that also includes DISTRONIC PLUS Proximity Control, Brake Assist PLUS, the PRE-SAFE Brake system, and Parking Guidance. |
