At the recent Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA) truck show in Hanover, Germany, Daimler AG introduced the next evolution of its Active Brake Assist emergency braking systems for commercial vehicles, based on the radar system used in Telligent proximity control. It uses the proximity control system’s three radar antennae to detect moving obstacles in front of the vehicle, and continuously monitors the speed differential between the two vehicles, the company said, adding the first generation of the radar system had a range of 150 meters in the lane ahead of the vehicle, while this radar technology allows the Active Brake Assist system to operate in any weather or lighting condition.
If the system identifies an accident that cannot be averted and if the situation on the road remains unchanged, the driver is first alerted visually by an illuminated red triangle and acoustically by a warning signal. This is followed by a gentle braking force. If the driver fails to react, the system initiates emergency braking, according to Daimler.
The third generation of the emergency braking system now automatically initiates emergency braking in response to stationary obstacles, which means that in addition to lessening the damage caused by head-on collisions, it can also prevent them entirely depending on the speed being driven, the maker added
According to Georg Weiberg, head of tuck product engineering for Daimler Trucks, “There is a telematics component to the system that sends messages back to the fleet manager, which means fleets have better fatigue management capabilities.”
Available in the Mercedes-Benz Actros and Antos models in Europe from the end of 2012, the time frame for this technology’s availability in Freightliner Class 8 Cascadia and Western Star long haul trucks has yet to be determined, Weiberg added.
