HighTechReport 1/2009 | Daimler > Technology & Innovation > HighTechReport

Daimler HighTechReport 1/2009

The Daimler HighTechReport represents the technological competence on the basis of current examples from the Daimler research and development area of Mercedes Benz Cars. It provides an insight into the various activities of the research labs, presents trend-setting mobility concepts and shows by means of concrete technologies perspectives and trends for the future of the automobile.

The current edition of the Daimler HighTechReport features the following stories:

Electric Drives: Concept E

Electric drives are the key to sustainable individual mobility. Daimler is pursuing various concepts here — for example, the BlueZERO concept car, which is close to series production. The vehicle’s three different electric drives utilize the sandwich floor concept.

Assistance Systems

Daimler researchers are using radar and video sensors in conjunction with laser scanners to detect dangers even sooner, more precisely, and more reliably. The software that depicts the vehicle’s surroundings in real time is also becoming more sophisticated.

Crash Simulation

In this hotspot of the IT sector in India, Daimler engineers create mathematical models that help them to analyze in detail the strains to which the human body is subjected by a simulated crash. The virtual crash dummies they use are known as human body models.

Engine Development

It’s a compact diesel engine that’s universally usable — in models ranging from the C, E, and S-Class to the GLK and vans from Mercedes-Benz. Its technological highlights include piezo injectors and a two-stage supercharging unit.

Safety

In the new E-Class, night driving will become even safer. The Adaptive High Beam Assistant automatically sets the optimal illumination distance for the headlights while the Night Vision Assistant PLUS actively points out pedestrians it has detected in the dark.

Interior

Daimler has a long history of setting drive technology milestones. To ensure things stay that way, the company that invented the automobile is working hard on developing electric vehicles that will make zeroemission mobility possible. One option here is fuel cell cars such as the B-Class F-CELL, of which several units will be manufactured this year.

Showroom

Insights and news in ten different areas and technologies...

An interview with Thomas Weber: We’re Staying on Course!

Innovations in a time of new beginnings: An interview with Thomas Weber, Daimler AG Board of Management member responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

New E-Class with active hood

Pedestrians are the most defenseless road users, and they frequently suffer serious injuries when struck by a car or motorcycle. To address this problem, Mercedes-Benz engineers have installed an innovative protective system in the new E-Class: Known as the “active hood,” it can reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians during accidents.

Smooth Running

Four years later, a worldwide major project is initiated in Hamburg and eleven further cities, in which a total of 36 Citaro fuel cell buses are on the roads. Today, Hamburger Hochbahn operates six Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses, each with more than 5,000 hours of operation.

Mobility Concepts

Daimler is presenting a new mobility concept. Here’s how it works...

Reflector: 5 Questions for Vinton G. Cerf

The mathematician Vinton (“Vint”) G. Cerf, who was born in 1943, is one of the architects of the World Wide Web. In the late 1970s he worked with Robert Kahn to develop the fundamental protocols (TCP/IP) for transmitting arbitrary data packets through a distributed network of computers. In the course of the ARPANET project he created the basis of the Internet.

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Daimler HighTechReport 1/2009

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