Mercedes F500 concept explores night-vision

Friday October 17, 2003

Mercedes-Benz will present its new F 500 research vehicle at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show showcasing more than a dozen ideas for enhancing safety, drive technology and comfort. A the night vision system with infrared laser headlamps, two-way doors, a programmable multivision display in the cockpit and an ultrasound driver information system are among the innovations being tested by the Mercedes-Benz in the F 500 Mind.

Packaged as a modern four-door fastback saloon, the F 500 Mind also includes Electronic accelerator and brake pedals resulting in greater legroom in the rear, and an interior pillar which provides structural rigidity.

The multivision display in the cockpit of the F 500 Mind forms the centrepiece of an innovative instrumentation and control system which offers the driver more flexible information delivery and at the same time reduces fatigue. The dials and displays in the instrument cluster are programmable and their images can be optically superposed or combined with the aid of a semitransparent mirror.

The advanced-design voice operated control system and an ultrasound-based driver information system targets the sound at the driver so that only he or she can hear the information from the navigation system.

In the dark or in poor visibility, the innovative night vision system projects its images onto the right-hand display. The night vision system consists of two infrared laser headlights on the front of the vehicle that "illuminate" the road with their invisible light over a range of up to 150 metres, and a camera on the windscreen. This allows the driver to spot hazards much earlier than in a vehicle operating on conventional dipped headlamps.

The drive system in the research vehicle is a state-of-the-art diesel hybrid unit with a total power output of 234 kW.

The DaimlerChrysler researchers will be using this research vehicle to conduct the first practical tests of these innovative systems.

See www.daimlerchrysler.com to learn more.