Mercedes-Benz researchers are exploring a broad range of breathtaking possibilities made possible by new advances in wireless communications for cars.  The term for this emerging field is “telematics,” combining the words “telecommunication” and “information.”  One of the most exciting ideas for telematics is to replace the well-known concept of the intelligent highway with a more powerful plan for the intelligent car.

    Most experts agree that the idea of highways with costly imbedded sensors that monitor and even control traffic flow, or provide re-routing around traffic jams, would be too expensive and impractical for universal use.  However, imagine that every car on the road might actually double as a moving sensor, continuously feeding information about weather, traffic flow, and road surface conditions to a central mainframe computer.  This vast traffic database would then be bundled into a useful, up-to-date route guidance package beamed back to all its subscribers.


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    The most promising research vehicles for the “car as sensor” concept are Mercedes-Benz models equipped with special radio systems which gather and transmit data form the car’s existing rain and light sensors, its satellite navigation system, and the sensors for ESP stability control.

    The more cars that serve as traffic and road sensors, the more accurate and comprehensive this concept could be.  Without the need for expensive sensors in the road or cameras at intersections, the coverage could extend beyond just high-travel highways to all country roads, city streets and bridges.

In-Car Multimedia Service Is Also on the Horizon
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    Some day soon, clients could become members of the on-line “Mercedes-Benz Community” whenever they purchase a new model, allowing them to access on-line services from the car, at home or at the office.  These services would include dynamic route guidance to avoid traffic jams, as well as on-line concierge services for making reservations, paying b ills and even making mail-order purchases.



    In addition, the COMAND display on the car’s center console could be linked to a miniature palm-top computer that not only stores addresses, phone numbers and other files, but movies and music as well.  It’s also possible that wireless telematics technology could transfer this type of digital information directly into the car.  Using a cell phone or satellite radio, passengers would be able to read and send e-mail, surf the internet and establish links to their personal computer back at the office or at home.

Building on Tele Aid with Tele-Diagnosis

    Tele Aid, the built-in emergency call system that is standard on nearly every 2000-model Mercedes-Benz, could be expanded to include additional services such as Tele-Diagnosis.  For example, in the event of a breakdown, the driver can push an SOS button to contact the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center, where specialists can speak to the client via a special cellular line.  At the same time, the system transmits vehicle information and location (tapping into the car’s GPS navigation ) to help technicians find the car quickly.  While this service is already available to most owners of 2000 Mercedes-Benz cars, transmitted information in the near future could include engine and chassis management data that would allow a technician to diagnose and even fix the problem “over the phone.”

    The task for Mercedes-Benz researchers over the next few years is to perfect and integrate these services so that occupant safety and comfort continues to be the top priority.

-Autoworld.com