HANOVER, Germany -- Daimler has been developing a suite of integrated safety systems, which will likely be offered in North America within the next few years.
Active Brake Assist 3 (ABA3), Active Cruise Control (DTR+) and Attention Assist (MDAS) are new to the European truck market and will eventually be brought to North America, officials announced this morning at the International Motor Show in Hanover, Germany.
ABA3 is a radar-based active braking system, which identifies moving and stationary objects on the road ahead. It provides audible warnings when a rear-end collision is possible and when necessary, applies the brakes to prevent the crash or at least lessen the severity of the collision. The new system will first be deployed in the Mercedes Actros and the newly announced Antos in the European market.
Also newly available in the Actros and Antos is Active Cruise Control (DTR+), which monitors and adjusts the vehicle’s speed to provide a safe following distance. It offers a ‘stop and go’ function for autonomic following in traffic jam situations, the company announced.
Attention Assist monitors driver behaviour and identifies symptoms of driver fatigue, such as meandering within the lane of travel. When fatigue-related driving patterns are identified, a warning is displayed advising the driver to pull over for a rest.
It is estimated these safety systems combined could prevent up to two-thirds of truck crashes. A quarter of all truck accidents are rear-end collisions while straying from the lane of travel accounts for another 33% of truck crashes.
Officials said the main benefit over currently available active safety systems is that the proprietary solutions will be fully integrated into the vehicle.