Once all of the tests have been completed, the system will go into series production at Mercedes-Benz in 2009. In this event the driver is prompted to take a break. The system uses various sensors to analyse driving behaviour and recognises tiredness-related changes in the driver’s personal driving style.

Off at the wheel is now undergoing a final test phase. Stuttgart – A new type of assistance system, designed by Mercedes-Benz to warn the driver of tiredness and the dreaded phenomenon of nodding After all, a dead Mercedes driver is a non-returning customer. No word yet on whether it will be fitted as standard across the M-B range or simply bundled with an optional safety pack, but hopefully it's the former. Mercedes Attention Assist is due to enter production sometime in 2009. Volvo has their Driver Alert system, Saab has their Driver Attention Warning System and Nissan is currently developing its own driver-monitoring technology. It's a noble effort on Mercedes-Benz's part, and it joins similar anti-tiredness systems developed by other manufacturers. Steering and pedal inputs are also monitored for any unusual movements, and, if any significant deviation from the driver's normal behaviour is detected, the system then sounds an alarm and instructs the driver to pull over and take a break. M-B is now in the final stages of development for its Mercedes Attention Assist system, which uses a variety of sensors to determine if a driver is in danger of losing consciousness.Īttention Assist works by analysing the driver's personal driving style, the length of the trip being taken and the time of the day. Statistics aside, it doesn't take a genius to realise that an unconscious person makes for a very poor driver, so Mercedes-Benz has stepped up to the plate to do their bit to reduce the likelihood of drivers ever falling asleep while driving.

European studies also show that between 24 and 33 per cent of all road fatalities involve fatigued drivers - a damning figure if there ever was one. Statistics gathered in the USA show that 60 per cent of all drivers surveyed had driven while feeling drowsy, while 20 per cent had actually fallen asleep behind the wheel. Sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of a desire to press on, but for whatever reason a huge proportion of drivers have at some stage broken the laws of common sense and driven while tired.

Mercedes assist take a break