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Acronyms: The Future of Automotive SafetyApr 01 '06 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Safety for the masses. . . the S-Class is the showcase, now we just wait.
I hope you all benefit from the following essay. Automotive safety and technology is an ever growing point of concern, and I think we would all benefit from a little more knowledge in this area. The latter half of the twentieth century brought unprecedented innovation in the automotive industry. New roads and highways were constructed during the post-war era, paving the way for an automotive revolution. Having finally developed a reliable street car, automakers began to focus on safety. The last few decades saw the popularization of the seatbelt, anti-lock brakes, and airbags, and during the past decade new safety innovations seemed to be developed every year. Current vehicles are equipped with gadgetry like lane-departure warning systems and rollover sensors, features Henry Ford could not have imagined on his Model T. Generally, these new technologies debut on luxury models, eventually trickling down to the vast array of affordable cars. Unfortunately, it can take many years before these lifesaving systems are found in cars selling at or below the average automotive Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about thirty thousand dollars. While some technologies such as General Motors’ OnStar telematics systems have been made available to the car buying masses, there are many more systems still restricted to high price cars. With over a century of auto manufacturing experience, Mercedes-Benz has developed a comprehensive system to help achieve accident free driving: PRO-SAFE. A safety system designed for the new millennium, PRO-SAFE encompasses various technologies to protect occupants before, during, and after a crash. With this tremendous advance in automotive safety, it is imperative that similar systems be engineered to protect occupants in all monetary segments of the automotive spectrum. The most common safety feature in cars is the airbag. Since the initial introduction of the driver airbag, the technology has spread to the front passenger, side doors, windows, and even knee areas. Intended to protect occupants after a crash, airbags are deployed within milliseconds of an impact. Unfortunately, these nitrogen-filled devices intended to save lives often do more harm than good. This is generally a result of improper passenger position, so many cars use sensors that will deactivate the airbag if the person is sitting inappropriately. For example, Jaguar employs a high tech ultra-sonic sensor to evaluate the location of a passenger prior to airbag deployment. Recent innovations also include the use of two stage airbags, which alter deployment intensity based on crash severity. Curtain airbags are also increasingly common, shielding the windows in case of a rollover incident. While these proven airbag technologies are widely used, telematics is gaining in popularity. Primarily equipped in General Motors cars, though available in other makes and models, OnStar is one of a few industry integrated emergency systems. Utilizing a one and one half inch antenna, OnStar equipped vehicles are able to communicate with emergency call centers via satellite and cellular networks. Using enhanced cellular signals, cars are able to contact OnStar representatives, who use GPS technology to pinpoint the vehicle’s precise location. In case of an accident, roadside assistance and emergency services can be summoned. Exclusive to Mercedes-Benz, Tele Aid is a similar telematics system. Using comparable technologies to OnStar, Tele Aid equipped vehicles automatically contact an emergency call center upon airbag deployment or activation of the seatbelt emergency tensioning device. Not to be left out, Lexus, the luxury arm of Japanese automaker Toyota, has re-badged OnStar as Lexus Link for use in its cars. While these advanced systems are beneficial after an accident, they do not actively prevent their occurrence. In an attempt to lower the accident rate, automakers have developed anticipatory accident avoidance systems. Lexus' new Pre-Collision System (PCS) was first introduced on the 2004 LS430. Using millimeter-wave radar and data for vehicle speed, steering angle, and yaw rate inputs PCS helps to determine in advance whether a collision is unavoidable. If an impact is determined to be inevitable, PCS quickly accomplishes three tasks. Driver and front passenger seat belts are retracted. The brake assist system is placed in standby mode for an instant response once the pedal is pressed. Finally, the suspension is adjusted to sport mode to minimize nose dive and ensure optimal braking performance. The radar used for PCS is also integrated into a cruise control system that maintains a set distance from the next car. Should the system predict an accident while the car is on cruise control, the brakes will automatically be applied. It is commendable that Lexus has integrated this technology into its lineup. While all of the previously discussed technologies are praiseworthy and effective, no automotive safety system competes with Mercedes-Benz's philosophy of PRO-SAFE. In a four step approach that includes PERFORM-SAFE, PRE-SAFE, PASSIVE-SAFE, and POST-SAFE, Mercedes hopes to bring its view of accident free driving to fruition. Intended to protect occupants before a crash, PASSIVE-SAFE includes such technological goodies as Bi-Xenon headlights, Night view assist, and multicountour seats. PRE-SAFE, the most critical of the steps, is an anticipatory system aimed to prevent or minimize the severity of an imminent collision. Upon determination that an accident is likely to occur, the windows and sunroof are automatically closed, seats are aligned to their optimal position for airbag deployment, and head restraints are properly situated to minimize head and neck injuries. During an accident, PASSIVE-SAFE uses pressure sensors in the doors, adaptive restraint systems, and a rigid passenger cell to protect occupants in a rollover. Finally, POST-SAFE protects passengers after an incident by flashing hazard lights, cutting off the engine and fuel supply, and unlocking doors to help prevent injury following a crash. The 2007 S-Class masterfully incorporates various technological innovations to become one of the safest passenger cars ever built. In terms of auto safety, Mercedes is far more advanced than its closest rivals, routinely developing revolutionary systems to protect occupants before, during, and after a crash. The recipient of various awards and accolades, Mercedes' PRE-SAFE has been lauded by the international community. In 2003, the World Traffic Symposium presented Mercedes-Benz with the Traffic Safety Achievement award. Additionally, Mercedes' PRE-SAFE has been recognized by Auto Bild with the "Europe's No. 1 Car" award for innovation and by a German consumer magazine for "Most Sensible Innovation". Unrivaled, PRO-SAFE incorporates many ancillary safety innovations to create a fully integrated system far more cohesive than its closest competitor. With Tele Aid already available on all model lines, Mercedes-Benz has established itself as the premier automaker for safety technology. It was in 1978 that Mercedes introduced its first model fitted with ABS, yet another twenty seven years passed before the technology became standard equipment on all versions of the 2005 Toyota Camry, America's best selling car. Automakers must fulfill their moral obligation to equip vehicles with the most advanced safety technology available. It is impossible to estimate how many lives were lost in the lengthy twenty seven years before Toyota recognized its duty, but it can be concluded that America's drivers should not be subject to another quarter-century without advanced crash avoidance systems. Acura, the luxury division of Honda, has upgraded its flagship RL sedan for 2006 to include an optional technology package that incorporates Acura's new Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS). Employing millimeter-wave radar much like that found in Lexus' PCS, CMBS monitors vehicles or obstacles in front of the car. Using visual, audio, and tactile cues, the system is designed to alert the driver to an impending collision. Ultimately, CMBS can mitigate the force of a collision by applying the brakes and properly positioning the driver and front passenger. At about fifty-three thousand dollars for a CMBS equipped RL, Acura has done well to offer this system on a car priced substantially lower than the Lexus LS and Mercedes S-Class. However, one car comes even closer to the average MSRP. At just under thirty-five thousand dollars, the 2006 Lexus IS250 comes equipped with PCS. Boasting the same safety technology found in Lexus' top of the line LS430, the IS250 is a triumph for Lexus. At thirty-five thousand dollars, the MSRP of the IS250 more than halves that of a PCS equipped LS430. Indeed, Lexus has demonstrated its commitment to safety. Just two years after its introduction on the highest priced model, PCS has found its way into the entry level IS. PCS, however, is far from perfect. Mercedes has demonstrated the technological superiority of PRO-SAFE, and if history is any indication, PRO-SAFE has yet to fully evolve. Over the coming years, automakers will continue to push the envelope in terms of automotive safety, and just as it was difficult to predict the introduction of the airbag or the three-point seatbelt, it is impossible to know what new technologies will be invented in the future. At the moment, PRO-SAFE is the most comprehensive, successful system of its kind, and automakers must continue to make these technologies more accessible to the average car buyer. Safer driving through technological innovation is a reality that people of all economic capacities are entitled to, and car companies must do all they can to build a network of safe accident driving. Sources Acura.com CanadianDriver.com Edmunds.com InternetAutoGuide.com Lexus.com Mercedes-Benz.com Thanks for reading! I hope this was beneficial to everyone. Please leave a comment with your feedback. -David  |
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