As manufacturers get closer to making autonomous driving a common reality, Mercedes-Benz is adding a new dimension to safety in the next generation of E-Class.

Though it won’t be launched until next spring, we already know some of what Mercedes-Benz will be offering as part of a new driver assistance package, including a feature that will allow for semi-autonomous driving on freeways, highways and in city traffic.

Mercedes lists the highlights of the Driver Assistance Package as:

• Intelligent Drive Next Level – On motorways and country roads, it is not only able to keep the car at a correct distance behind slower vehicles ahead automatically, it can also follow them in their lane at a speeds from 0 of up to 200 km/h. At speeds up to 130 km/h, the system is not necessarily dependent on clearly visible lane markings as it can also intervene actively if the lines on the road are unclear, as is often the case at road works, or even if there are no lines on the road at all. In combination with COMAND Online, the optional Speed Limit Pilot subfunction can autonomously adjust the vehicle’s speed in response to camera-detected speed limits or speed limits logged in the navigation system.
• Active Brake Assist – This system can warn the driver of imminent crash situations, provide just the right level of assistance in the event of sudden braking and also apply the brakes automatically in an emergency. In addition to detecting slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles, it also detects and reacts to crossing traffic at junctions, the tail ends of traffic jams and pedestrians in the danger  zone ahead of the vehicle, for example.
• Evasive Steering Assist – This system is the ideal complement to the pedestrian detection function of Active Brake Assist. When the driver deliberately or instinctively performs an evasive manoeuvre in a dangerous situation, this function can assist by adding precisely calculated steering torque to support the movement of the steering wheel. This helps the driver to avoid the pedestrian in a controlled manner while subsequently facilitating the straightening of the vehicle in order to pass safely.
• Remote Parking Pilot – This system for the first time allows the vehicle to be moved into and out of parking spaces from outside using a smartphone app, allowing the occupants to get into and out of the car easily, even if space is very tight. (not available in the U.S. market at launch)
• Car-to-X Communication – The mobile phone- supported exchange of information with other vehicles further ahead on  the road, for example, can effectively allow the driver to see around corners or through obstacles. This means that the driver receives an earlier warning than previously in the event of imminent danger, such as vehicle in an accident.
• Digital Car Key – This drive authorisation system uses Near Field Communication technology and allows the driver’s smartphone to be used as a vehicle key.
• PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side – With this system, available to complement the driver assistance package, if an unavoidable side collision is detected, the air chambers in the backrest side bolsters inflate rapidly to preventively move the occupant sideways, away from the danger area. This increases the distance between occupant and door.
• PRE-SAFE® Sound – This system is a first in that it makes use of a natural reflex to protect the occupants’ ears from the expected noise in the event of a possible collision.
• MULTIBEAM LED Headlamps – High-resolution MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, each with 84 individually activated high-performance LEDs, automatically illuminate the road surface with precision-controlled distribution of exceptionally bright light – without blinding other road users.

image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz