Mercedes has recently showcased its latest
research car, the Experimental Safety Vehicle (ESF 2019), at the second edition
of the Safe Roads Summit India. For the uninitiated, this event is a part of
the nationwide ‘Safe Roads’ initiative which was launched by Daimler entities
in India (Mercedes-Benz India, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles and
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India) back in 2015.
The Mercedes ESF 2019 replaces the
Mercedes S-Class based ESF 2009 which came with some very innovative safety
features such as belt bag, Pre-safe Impulse and Side and Active beam assist.
All of which were later introduced in the production-spec Mercedes-Benz
vehicles.
The research vehicle in question, the ESF
2019, was initially seen at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show. It goes without
saying that it is based on the new Mercedes-Benz GLE featuring semi-autonomous
technology and employs a plug-in hybrid system. Furthermore, it also comes with
a number of innovative safety features inside out.
It is capable of warning fellow drivers of
potential hazards with the use of multi-coloured lights, projective panels and
a warning triangle robot. In the fully-automated mode, it also offers the
functionality of retractable steering wheel and pedals, so that injury risks
can be minimized. Furthermore, what's even more interesting to note is that it
gets alternative installation spaces for airbags and head restraints. In
details, the driver side airbag has been positioned in the dashboard while the
integral side airbag has been located in the seat backrests' side bolsters. The
vehicle also features a Pre-Safe Child system which elongates the side-mounted
impact protection elements and preventively tensions the seat belt before an
impact.
Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz ESF 2019
also features Active Brake Assist and rear airbag with a new inflation concept.
Apart from the new rear airbag, the second-row also gets belt-feeders, belt
buckle illumination, USB belt buckles and belt heating. Its Pre-safe Curve
feature warns the driver about the underestimation of an approaching bend.
