Magic ride for new S-Class

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine will have the ability to read Australia’s rough roads and adjust its suspension to anticipate bumps and smooth its ride.

However, it still won’t have the ability to read our rectangular speed signs when it launches here late next year.

The world-first  suspension system, which Mercedes-Benz calls ABC (Active Body Control) Preview internally, has also been referred to as ‘Magic Body Control’ in reports of its development.

A new stereo camera sited atop the windshield of the W222 S-Class is crucial in bringing ABC Preview to reality, just as it has also played a key role in the introduction of a cluster of other important new safety features, as were reported here and here.

“Right now we have an ABC that reacts very quickly to bumps in the road - but it reacts to uneven-ness in the road,” Jochen Haab, Benz’s active safety test chief, told motoring.com.au.

“But now we have a system that is linked to the stereo camera that can see in three dimensions, so we can actually pre-adjust your springs, so your car is prepared for the bump.

“The car doesn’t have to wait for a little bump or wait for the bump and react - you actually see the bump and by the time you hit the bump you are prepared for that.”

While a similar system dubbed ‘Pre-Scan’ was fitted to the F700 concept, that used a laser-based approach rather than the camera to gather road data.

The stereo camera scans the road between 4.5 and 14 metres ahead, searching out imperfections as small as 20mm, then sending information to the ABC control unit so dampers can be prepared in advance to neutralise impacts.

“It scans the road for bumps and is a magic carpet thing,” Mr Haab promised. “It is totally new, it is an absolute world premiere.”

However, while the new stereo camera provides an upgraded ride for the next S-Class, Australian road signs still defeat Benz’s technology.

Mr Haab explained that speed signs that aren’t round – such as Australia’s rectangular items – are still at least two years from being recognised.

“We have an image detection system that has to - in almost real time - compare shapes in the outside world with shapes in the data base. Filtering out round shapes in a basically square or rectangular world is not easy but is possible.

“But to filter out squares in a square world and actually read them is very highly sophisticated. We have cars that can do it, but half the trunk is full of soft and hardware. We are still a couple of years down the road, but we will get there.”

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