Female Speaker: Now days, for many drivers vehicle safety is one of the most important aspects to think about when buying a car. This is not always been the case. Mercedes Benz has always been one of the leaders in developing safety technology for cars. The last research vehicle that company presented on this topic was back in 1974. Now it has a sensational success with the ESF 2009 based on an S400 Hybrid, it has safety features you'd imagine in the distinct future. What it's all about here is the head of safety development Dr. Rodolfo Schoneburg.
Dr. Rodolfo Schoneburg: We at Mercedes take a comprehensive approach to the subject of vehicle safety, namely as an interaction between accident prevention and occupant protection measures. The ESF 2009 Experimental Safety Vehicle, demonstrates the various ideas we have in this respect. The inflatable structure elements are one example. These are relatively flat when not inflated, so as to allow as much scope as possible for the designers. In inflated condition their cross section is enlarged, there by increasing their resistance, this reduces the risk of intrusions in the event of an accident.
We've integrated numerous completely new occupant protection features in the interior. These include airbags with the variable volume that is airbags that adapt themselves according to the size of the occupant or inflatable seatbelts elements that inflate like a small airbag immediately after an accident. We've also improved child protection with our new child safety seat, which has many occupant protection features.
The headlamps are another important aspect. In this case we've developed diode headlamps, which have another additional function. In the event of a situation conducive to an accident, these diodes are able to target and illuminate potential collision objects very preciously. So as to make the driver aware of them.
Another system incorporated into the ESF 2009 is what we call the virtual protection zone, which is indicated by the black strips on the bonnet. Shortly before an accident the electronic systems are able to decelerate the vehicle, for example by full emergency breaking, there by reducing the impact energy and acting as a protective zone so to speak.
A further totally new system we're presenting with this vehicle is the breaking bag. An airbag system that presses the car's under body paneling on to the road surface and can therefore increase the breaking effect when needed. This is undoubtedly a system that looks well into the future but that is after all what we want to show with the ESF.
Female Speaker: When and whether these technologies will go into series production is still unclear. It's a Mercedes tradition to fit all its research vehicles with future oriented technology and after the initial presentation many visions slowly found their way into series models. The ESF 13 from 1972 was already equipped with airbags. The ESF 22 presented at the experimental safety vehicle conference in Kiyoto in 1973; came with airbags and belt tensioners. In addition the ESF 22 also included the 15 centimeter front end extension with hydraulic impact absorbers for better collision protection.
Like the former model the ESF 24 from 1974 was also based on the S class. It was stretched by 10cms to offer even better chances of survival in the case of an impact. The direct successor to the ESF 24 is now the ESF 2009. The continuation of a wonderful and very important tradition with its technology's certain to find its way into series production real soon.
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