22 Innovations Pioneered by Mercedes

Mercedes have great innovations that have kept them on top with other companies trying to keep up.

In 1886, Carl Benz is awarded German patent number 37435 for a three-wheeled, self-propelled “Motorwagen”. With a rear-mounted single-cylinder engine, the first automobile forever changes the way people move, and sparks a legacy of innovation that continues to this day.

1894- First race car was designed and manufactured by Mercedes.

1901- Honeycomb Radiator

1906- Electric power car

1910- Multivalve Engine

1921- Supercharged Engine

1931- Four-wheel Independent Suspension System

The Mercedes 170 features the first-ever fully independent suspension, which allows each wheel to respond individually. Along with a new hydraulic braking system, the 170 sets new performance and safety benchmarks that remain the gold standard to date.

1936- Diesel Passenger Car

1949- Passenger-car safety development

1949 – Conical-pin door lock

Designed to help prevent the doors from opening in an accident, this patented, extremely strong door latch is the first of its kind.

1951- Crumple zone (series production: 1959)

1958-Crash testing program

For the first time, development of every new Mercedes included an increasingly rigorous regimen of crash-testing. This vital learning tool was initially performed outdoors.

1978- Anti Lock Braking System (ABS)

And some more…

2000- Tele Aid and mbrace

Introduced as Tele Aid and later enhanced under the mbrace® banner, this continually advancing suite of security, convenience and navigation features can connect drivers to their vehicle or to Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance via smartphone, computer or three buttons inside the car. In 2012, the new mbrace2™ brought the Internet into the car, with new apps and expanded remote and in-car features.

2002-PRE-SAFE®

A groundbreaking system that can help prepare the occupants for an accident before it happens, PRE-SAFE can detect that certain types of collision might be imminent. In the precious moments before impact, it can snug the front seat belts and adjust the front head restraints to help optimize the effectiveness of the restraint systems.

Safety first, when seconds count.

“PRE-SAFE responds when active safety systems like ESP are fully engaged but not restoring control. If it senses a severe sideways skid, it can even close the windows and sunroof. And if no accident occurs, the seat-belt tensioners reverse, you reopen your windows, and continue on your way.”

2006-DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE Brake

2010- ATTENTION ASSIST

After measuring over 70 parameters in the first few minutes of a drive, this innovation can help detect signs of drowsiness and audibly alert the driver to take a break.

iAdded sensitivity, no added sensors.

“Remarkably, ATTENTION ASSIST operates entirely from sensors already in a Mercedes-Benz. It cleverly tracks and compiles input from existing systems, from steering behavior to a lack of interaction with dashboard controls, to determine that a driver might be getting drowsy.”

So these are some innovation which a Mercedes cars have brought to the auto-world not to mention inventing auto-mobility itself.